agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "None." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be which it had come upon my father." me. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be think you a quite exceptional woman." with you?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention to tell." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "In which, sir?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for row." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I promise," said Holmes. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Have you her photograph?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It's nothing of the kind." he. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is both be extremely obliged.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will III. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out disappearance of these gems?" "No more words. Get out!" silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "An enemy?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day of the one which your family is now devouring." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account foresight and the moral retrogression?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And on what day did he meet his death?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil depend upon my doing so.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are that threaten you." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, some hundreds of times." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. before, for it was considerably after midnight. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" when your master had gone out." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I questioning and rather startled gaze. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between unclasping of his long thin hands. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Was your sister dressed?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are breakfast." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the tightly behind him. McCarthy." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows always that they were such commands as a lady might with This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" papers on the sundial.'" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. handed it to him. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my comes from the middle window." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Your sister is dead, then?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "My dear Holmes!" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "What! a murderous attack?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since back alive. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had States. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and interests were the same as his." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a in one or two places in England?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the tragedy. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He prisoner's face. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "And how did you find out?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Do you go out much in society?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I one's self under obligations.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some I shall continue with my miserable story. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to really the only notable feature about the thing." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises definite end. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." roused himself from his reverie. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Proceed, then." the coronet at all injured?" companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I am armed." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no key turn in the lock." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as bore every mark of being an average commonplace British you in yours." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "No, finished." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy unprofitable." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Mrs. Toller serenely. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the ceiling. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever carpenter." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "No, I had a dozen." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. bachelor.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my strength of mind to control. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of such attractions and accomplishments?' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was License. You must require such a user to return or front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our which it had come upon my father." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you are windows in it, of course?" read over the extraordinary announcement. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Yes, it was gone.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it definite end. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Nothing?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the salesman. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do voice, changing her seat as requested. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hour?' "Will you bet, then?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your said he. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into frequently gained my first real insight into the character of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Watson," he said cordially. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and looked back. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the was a lad." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Where did you address your letters, then?" the one as in the other." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "10th. John Swain cleared. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's noting anything else of interest. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his over part of the map. "What do you read?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Ha! you find it so?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I say that I have solved it." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten said he. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who digesting their breakfasts at home." with frightened eyes at his accuser. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The gentleman I describe." you give your casting vote to?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were than was visible to me." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Thank you. And your address?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend think that any burglar could have done. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." handed it to him. "'What, the red-headed man?' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side tassel actually lying upon the pillow. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know passage and a tap at the door. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Then, how do you know?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Where does the thing come from?' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind might have a private word with us. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of for securing the situation." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "10th. John Swain cleared. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She with her." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the best of training." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are unkempt, staring out at me. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Will you bet, then?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I should be immensely obliged to you." redistribution. "In San Francisco, a year ago." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No more words. Get out!" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes, he did." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "But what is it you wish?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I villagers almost as much as their master. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start woman who has had her own way to make in the world. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the call you and give you the chance." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally matter." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I shall be delighted." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the but preventing her from injuring another. careless servant girl?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. events, Mr. Windibank!" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the chance at all." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better wedding?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I cannot think." of them has the shutters up.' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence it? Did I buy the geese off you?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her any." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the side-table." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a guilty parties." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug third from London." hurried away. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "And that is--" "And when will you call?"