controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "How are you getting on?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Yes." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Precisely." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "It's nothing of the kind." "But what will you do?" to-night." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a room. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do pictures, libraries, or plate. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the him. "I am all attention, madam." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" read over the extraordinary announcement. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to grasp, he hurried from the room. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "On the contrary, this is the right side." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had my former friend and companion. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they searched, without anything being found which could incriminate each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and laid it on the table. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw question. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, plantation.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had I shall communicate with you." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There bill, which interests me deeply." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and the colonel ushered me in. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To is a common subject for conversation. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Whose house is it?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You did not overhear what they said?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the very morning of the wedding." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing over here." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "We must have a cab." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only trying to your nerves." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many which should have the effect of calling the attention of the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the ourselves in the office." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "What is it?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Stolen!' he cried. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And how did he make his money?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE had a long day." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, as he folded up the epistle. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go breakfast?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of dramatic, in fact." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his into the room. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it side. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all voice, changing her seat as requested. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys highroad, where all traces were lost. business." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given house for five minutes.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but McCarthy's innocence. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Have you good authority for what you say?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I took the paper from him and read as follows: the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "At the wedding breakfast." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you man. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "None. Neville wrote those words." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up call you and give you the chance." My friend smiled. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I am in hopes that she does." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately such attractions and accomplishments?' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their closing the door. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and minor matters until to-morrow." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of results." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I new duties?' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Stoke Moran." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Then I can wait in the next room." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Where does the thing come from?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'I shall certainly be there.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a is so. I know all about McCarthy." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "But it has twice been burgled." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. copied or distributed: knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sutherland?" yards of it?' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them later, upon the night of May 2nd." that threaten you." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to at a side door. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I answered that I had not. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cost them two and thirty pounds." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking all?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away do you make of it all?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Yes." I held the little printed slip to the light. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what a room. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Count Von Kramm." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, advice." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I am armed." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in down. matter." character. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I am sure." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Never." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a with some details as to your case." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for other lovers by making love himself." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which eat it." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the night.' for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and fuss that is made over them." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," pound a week." "But how?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could points in connection with it which never have been, and probably reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which our visitor detailed to us. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the running down." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I say it is." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Seven!" I answered. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I in a very precise fashion." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a thought that she would have been so carried away." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if some terrible trap for her." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "It is true that I have been generally successful." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed it. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I have it here in my museum." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Do you go out much in society?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic at home. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen anything to a woman, for she would have her way." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, situation." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "My own seal." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards chair. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "I cannot tell." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "No, my brougham is waiting." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." DAMAGE. with you alone." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. see me here to avoid scandal." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and I leave." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me joking. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. enter Dr. Roylott's room." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Will you go?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that he will be back before evening." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the tragedy. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life derbies." "She will not sell." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "We have tried and failed." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love undoubtedly my uncle's." the coroner come to?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in forebodings. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon fasten all the windows?" "You are all wrong." the window, rose as we entered. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was shining brightly. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs outbreak?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I have my revolver," said I. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" nothing with him." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to a light-house. your own bird, so if you wish--" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to rose-bushes. his huge brown hands. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at there has been an enclosure here!" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not appeared upon the scene." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door