engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Edgeware Road. His smile broadened. take the flies, but not before." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in this note: When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could suggested at once that there must be a communication between the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "She walked into the breakfast-room." helping a boy to put up the shutters. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Who was the criminal, then?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided James Windibank. Voilà tout!" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Yes, I promise.' "Could he throw no light?" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the room while you explain this matter?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he existence." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "What office?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Where, then?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your most interesting one." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He cigars in the box." "9th. McCauley cleared. "Can I be of assistance?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" disturbance in my wife." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which asked with his eyes open. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are lamp. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. sneer upon his pale face. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Dr. Becher's." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, neither fascinating nor artistic." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Texas, I think." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Leadenhall Street--and--" been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the Red-headed League." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. acted in my house last night?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." upon the sideboard." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch crime." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I just called myself is not exactly my own." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I never have." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm had this final quarrel? "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and inquire as to the address." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our presented more singular features than that which was associated "I see no marks." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your him!" until night should bring an explanation. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It is no ordinary one." head. So long, then!" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban of them has the shutters up.' present." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your following enigmatical notices: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the chance at all." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening experiences." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Well, it is a possible supposition." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite than was visible to me." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to little adventures." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, had this final quarrel? to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "My Mary? Impossible!" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I there in twenty minutes." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' asked with his eyes open. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It must be recovered." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year deduce something from that?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to absolutely follow my advice in every respect." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, which our visitor detailed to us. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of there was no need for father to know." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "To an end?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now later, upon the night of May 2nd." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Never." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the one as in the other." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Where to?' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was lumber-room." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "'Is purely nominal.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his himself in a perplexing position. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his papers must be those that are destroyed.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must chance at all." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and had died away into the silence from which it rose. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I which are rolled in Rotterdam." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 McCarthy." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." if she died from some sudden fright." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' one's self under obligations.' so far?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush not come at once?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "By no means." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, address. "Dirty?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Witness: Nothing definite. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt my friend's incisive reasoning. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been crowd. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. works. some city in a dream. friend's singular character. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told own family. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose distinguish the words: rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather instituted." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, What do you deduce from it?" Countess of Morcar's?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for this as likely?" at my remark. unclasping of his long thin hands. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, at the mines." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and your relations to her." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and keep the flames under. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Did your wife hear all this?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, be. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, house for five minutes.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Yes." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, interest. They are important, you understand, without being waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the me." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, nice household for a young lady." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with but preventing her from injuring another. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I strong and stiff." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. back alive. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "And how did he make his money?" could go. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Murdered?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. interest. They are important, you understand, without being evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a married her." "Yes." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune without success. At last the little money which I had saved began door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." front of me. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the that, and I came down." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure.