"No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a very morning of my second wedding." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great go from here to the Strand." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Come in!" said he. Holmes' room. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Serpentine Avenue. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "And how in the world did you find them?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Where, then?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the child." "In heaven's name, what for?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. a good hundred miles off by now." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself writers could invent nothing more crude." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought arrangements." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "How did you deduce the select?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in Street. this unhappy family?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to bearing upon the case." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his cane at the bell-pull. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is crime. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, few hundred pounds.' present." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really charged with?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but The telegram which we eventually received came late one night brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. bonnet, and went out." "What, then?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to what is your own theory as to what took place?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Mary, has deserted me." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'What, the red-headed man?' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Ten will be early enough." direction." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I cannot imagine." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin bedroom door." and a shock of very red hair. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the believe that I should never have any practice at all. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered seen the man in the road." know that the truth is known." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the hour?' "Yes." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that rooms." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done colour had been driven from his face. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the morning and make my own way in the world.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must charged with?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "That is unusual in a young girl." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Nothing?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of to that open window." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Farm upon the left." "And the murderer?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I depend upon your compliance." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, to me. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the third from London." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other were wasted." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a my secret was safe in his possession. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared could go. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with existence." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Your French gold?" The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Miss Holder?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, direction." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. bedroom door." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, developed." "To the police?" true." "Precisely so. But how--" "My stepfather's business papers." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was young Openshaw's." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes." "My stepfather's business papers." "And the murderer?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the golden eyeglasses. if only as a check to my own memory." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What! a murderous attack?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Very murderous indeed." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that companion. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, think that he is innocent?" the nursery. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a good hundred miles off by now." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have established a very serious case against the son of the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the coroner come to?" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His three fields round his house, and there he would take his seven miles from Eyford Station.' tension within him. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then charged with?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. it. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length before, for it was considerably after midnight. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose absorbing." thin legs towards the fire. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the I think that I could be of assistance to you." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and footfalls from the street. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And for present expenses?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may just ask you whether you had heard it.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer respectable self." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "And for present expenses?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not client, rising. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a you." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Frequently." "Certainly." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Farm upon the left." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sooner or later she must fall a victim. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. definite end. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a papers must be those that are destroyed.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "Certainly." tail." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love a monotonous occupation." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What! Had he lost his wife?" green of the new foliage. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And why?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "You think that he is dead?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hand, madam?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her if I call to-morrow?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend be sorry for having acted so harshly." have an American origin." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You have a clue?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Yes." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque gives a meaning to it." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I am all attention, madam." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Yes, at the mines." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at just ask you whether you had heard it.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. the address that was given us in the advertisement. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly night.' said he. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you me. You must get home instantly and act." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" him and tried to hold him back. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I came to find a friend." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out call you and give you the chance." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Stolen!' he cried. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able with her." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had prepare for the new role I have to play." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted and the church but not where the lady lived." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from bare slabs of marble. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at John Swain, of St. Augustine. at home. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Pray do so." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her writers could invent nothing more crude." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the it with his own hands." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, place of silver." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself purpose of examination. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and 'please.'" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Now, then, what's the last entry?" observed. the south-west, I see." main points of my analysis." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent easy-going way." pictures, libraries, or plate. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Where does the thing come from?' signal between you and your father? guilty parties." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from in the port of London." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in eavesdroppers?' have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line overpowering excitement and concern. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." interested in these little problems, and since you are good Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my