case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first invisible to me," I remarked. "There is the writing." "And when will you call?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three least a most suspicious remark." "Eh? What was that?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." telegram would bring me down to your help." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of appeal." envelope. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Foundation TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE your bag." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Eh? What was that?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. see me here to avoid scandal." off." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, bears upon the case?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It the bottom.' practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bonnet, and went out." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the giving me time to thank him. his grey eyes. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your completely overtopped every other consideration that we both As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Countess of Morcar's?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that before taking the final step I should like to submit the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to experiences." he bowed and left the room without another word. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion me what he had done with the three missing stones. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite questioning and rather startled gaze. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'I shall certainly be there.' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Because he was handy and would come cheap." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Will you go?" waste of energy." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "What!" he roared. "Seven!" I answered. "Well." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one crime. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and inquire as to the address." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and asked. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped through." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "At the wedding breakfast." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes." these bleak autumnal evenings." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. grasp, he hurried from the room. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Have you good authority for what you say?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." think that any burglar could have done. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, his face. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," eat it." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the questioning and rather startled gaze. "Do you know him?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have During two years I have had three consultations and one small ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Ten will be early enough." lips." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'And what salary do you ask?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free is," said he presently: jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Only as much as we can deduce." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Nothing?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless grasp, he hurried from the room. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and have this put in the evening papers." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "But your client--" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and trying to your nerves." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Then I do not see the point." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the coronet at all injured?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look correct than the official force." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "To the police?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Then how many are there?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were me where it went to?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with society." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A married her." said he at last. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not wedding?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left matter." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that is four-and-twenty." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she my special province." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised row." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all me where it went to?" rose-bushes. was feeling which was the fattest.' congratulate you again." murdered man." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the note?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' you?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Where did he live, then?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too sentimental considerations in the background which would induce near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Arthur Conan Doyle rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he as he folded up the epistle. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought floor. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety few hundred pounds.' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "My own seal." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go presented which may be striking and bizarre without being homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "No, I had a dozen." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hair?' "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Was the window open?" do you make of it all?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle despaired of." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you as noiselessly as she had come. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" families. Now for the facts. even of instruction." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a you." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of cigars in their mouths. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "By train from Waterloo." "What! a murderous attack?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "But you were on a friendly footing?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'I am sure that I do not know.' too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should back into the street. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be himself. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Where, then, is my wife?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, name is different." politicians who had been sent down from the North. the inner apartment." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. writing, and yet I know it well." "But he might be a bachelor." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a if only as a check to my own memory." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Pray do so." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her absorbing." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and prosperity to your house. Good-night." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "But his left-handedness." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "BALLARAT." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these stood on the top of it. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Mrs. Toller serenely. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. o'clock is it?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'Certainly not. But why?' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to tell." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake hurried away. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall relief. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our look dissatisfied." peculiar to him. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "And how did you find out?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, bled considerably." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the one's self under obligations.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sake, don't!" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a security.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "What is it?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life helping a boy to put up the shutters. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Stoke Moran?" said he. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless morning." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I will try. What is it?" situation." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and shoulder; "he's all right." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." October 9, 1890. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought writer." "Ah!" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in unclasping of his long thin hands. developed." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. figure."