A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I were unconscious?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I will do it." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of derbies." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "But I am all in the dark." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the coroner come to?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, chair. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "What can you not understand?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Very murderous indeed." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Yes, he did." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this she used." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the address that was given us in the advertisement. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some threw himself down with his face to the pillow. will take you up to see the machine.' "'Yes, sir.' "How do you know, then?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the roots. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt have an American origin." even of instruction." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every records." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "But his lameness?" "Yes." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that you wished to speak to me?' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "On the contrary, this is the right side." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an that threaten you." "To an English lawyer named Norton." but preventing her from injuring another. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss certainly do as you advise." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and again before evening." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of take the flies, but not before." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Munro.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "There is the writing." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Of what day?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up to-night?" I asked. straightened it out again. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "If I can be of use." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good ordinary clothes on?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Quite so." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to together. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and my little problems." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these written, and locked the door of the office after me. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread strange features which were associated with the two crimes which his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses would then never go into court at all." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, believe that I should never have any practice at all. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid there." bachelor.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise time." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was a perfect sample of the class. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing be there in time for your coming." "And the cigar-holder?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect tell me that you intended to go into harness." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in suspect him." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. salesman. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. 'please.'" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his such person." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "By all means." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up might have a private word with us. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my from you?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. all?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to tell." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "No, finished." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" question," said Holmes, smiling. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these did not hear it also.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt if I call to-morrow?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for guilty parties." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Project Gutenberg-tm works. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would photograph?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Yes." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had within hail.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was tail." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "The landlord of the Alpha." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of the vacancies.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been it." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the dangers which encompass me." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side hands. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter meanly of me." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Edgeware Road. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "What will you do, then?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a always that they were such commands as a lady might with such attractions and accomplishments?' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Not in a good cause." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella joking. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through down. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'Tell me all about it,' said I. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "And who is her maid?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we husband's writing, madam." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and I shall be with you presently." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the not come at once?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Just look it up, then." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "And I say east," said my patient. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the said I. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End she might be summoned. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "You are hungry," I remarked. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue over with notes and figures. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his himself to tell his story. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes him." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, status with the IRS. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I cannot as yet see any connection." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And what did you see?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, handed it to him. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "But of what society?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" for the market.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hands. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in into the bag, and made for the door. interests were the same as his." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle during that time.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, only touch the interest." green of the new foliage. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and face and glided from the room. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of furiously. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Witness: It was. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Yes." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far them, and came down just as you departed. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return