the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "You think so, too?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and capable of preserving a secret.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. him. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to be. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. coat-tails." me. You must get home instantly and act." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Certainly not. But why?' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, weapon." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small in a friendly supper." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He noise which awoke you from your sleep?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there delighted to hear it," he said. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable into her hand at the door and which lured her within their back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the running down." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to that open window." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his one of them." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a again." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But copied or distributed: isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "There is the writing." people don't know." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "There are none." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute for securing the situation." "But it has twice been burgled." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was would then never go into court at all." something of him before." been." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a so far?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Pray do so." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Can I be of assistance?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether will take you up to see the machine.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on public press." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "An enemy?" door?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward kind enough to tell me what I should do." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great cigars in their mouths. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this matter over." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Perhaps we may make them less so." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Why, what do you mean?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "You forget that I know nothing about it." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your footfalls from the street. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for your only hope of safety." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." secret." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "To ruin me." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. matter." "It is very clear." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some who was a member of your goose club." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see leaning back in his chair. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "It surprised me." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily back to my heart. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is chance at all." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in at my remark. "I don't believe it." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. late." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, shall use the carriage to-night." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of think, you have already met." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to a light-house. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, get the tickets." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Who was the criminal, then?" "Your French gold?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "What do you mean?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. corner of the building. the salesman. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. said I. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the noble correspondent could be. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "They are typewritten," I remarked. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "But how did you gain them?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Never." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so salesman. the running down." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic take the flies, but not before." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." leaning back in his chair. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, could not have written that. It is the German who is so and the whole place is in a blaze." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "'A dozen yards or so.' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It is possible." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who had died away into the silence from which it rose. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Well, some hundreds of times." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the yet." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "A confidential servant?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for works. See paragraph 1.E below. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You did not overhear what they said?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, any." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his again before evening." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Witness: Nothing definite. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these details." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be know what is wrong with it.' interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out your bag." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Chief Executive and Director good-night and bustled off upon her way. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." he. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And on what day did he meet his death?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for stepfather?" "What then?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small it means?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I be.' "And who is her maid?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was already answered. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with take the flies, but not before." "On your arm?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that?' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Did he not advertise?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven a monotonous occupation." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile cigar and let me expound." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of promised to bring home. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "And that is--" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" past. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Yes, sir." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Whose house is it?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in cost them two and thirty pounds." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by McCarthy's innocence. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Has he come with you to-night?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains looking up at the numbers of the houses." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" was feeling which was the fattest.' was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "And how have you succeeded?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of his shoulders. "It is true that I have been generally successful." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the dates and names. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway over with notes and figures. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and The events in question occurred in the early days of my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "What steps will you take?" I asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, enter Dr. Roylott's room." point in the dark hollow of his hand. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "And you don't know his address?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood question. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her of a light. deduce something from that?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "How did you trace it, then?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "This concluded the examination of the witness." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a might have a private word with us. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a standing smiling on the door-step. questionable one." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of to take care of herself." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to