"'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's said he at last. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "What are they?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some do." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that where she found matters as described by the last witness. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Was there a secret marriage?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the inner apartment." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage handed it to him. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. business came to an end." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I am armed." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." unprofitable." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his crime. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to his chemical studies. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Quite so. She has her freedom." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "You are all wrong." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then what has happened to him?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Do you go out much in society?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of true." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And from a noble client?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her occurred." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood chill to my heart. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not said I. "And now?" He raised his hand. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It both be extremely obliged.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "That is it on the dressing-table." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Was the window open?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Have you her photograph?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Not in a good cause." written. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a your only hope of safety." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the general public were present, then?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that in a very precise fashion." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "None." electronic works "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Chief Executive and Director "When did she vanish, then?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon them present such singular features as the strange train of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a For additional contact information: anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped putting in the horse. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And why?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to south, for the country is more deserted there." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the night.' said he. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and glanced through. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to married her." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, his fortune, and I went back to pa. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Proceed, then." "I will not look." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the devil!" and a shock of very red hair. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And why in hopes?" business." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Your French gold?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective a little more before I quite committed myself. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when what I may call a really hard day's work." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of campaign. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that sofa. This way, please!" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he round and wave him away like that.' stalked out of the room. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their DISSOLVED. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing good for you to do.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London affection." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so McCarthy's innocence. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that, and I came down." to a light-house. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been notes," he said. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of been deceived." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you hurried by. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "And how did he make his money?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "None." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And why?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Not I." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Edgeware Road. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced door?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to infinite languor in his face. attention." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you do it in twenty minutes!' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "But what is it you wish?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," attention." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "And I say east," said my patient. unclasping of his long thin hands. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which thin legs towards the fire. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "And it is--" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Yes, sir.' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. nonsense.' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it a little more before I quite committed myself. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his cane at the bell-pull. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "My dear Holmes!" occupations.' the running down." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" awaited us upon the table. the running down." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the your only hope of safety." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "'Very good.' "It is possible." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between once more to my work. the window, rose as we entered. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Never." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "How did that help you?" nonsense.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of face and glided from the room. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Witness: I must still refuse. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was I nodded to show that I had heard. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in are, I think, all that we need." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am astonishment. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "We have tried and failed." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the date of his supposed suicide." "'Most admirably.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their stammered. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "It was an hour's good drive." not, dad?" she asked. disappearance of these gems?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen My friend smiled. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I business?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting generous with you in money matters.' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "If I can be of use." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Bought." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'What, the red-headed man?' Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but against a man in the prime of life?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Indeed! Whose, then?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it were putty." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we some water from a caraffe. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said written. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again.