and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally secret." "It was an hour's good drive." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to carriage. It was a chestnut." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "But how?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "VIOLET HUNTER." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not bonnet, and went out." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as dead, shall be safe with us." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent own family. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Quite so." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally intrusion of other matters." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Was your sister dressed?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Then I can wait in the next room." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "I am all attention, madam." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, morning." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Eh? What was that?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three writing, and yet I know it well." "Where, then?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I have my revolver," said I. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the King without delay." formed some opinion?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Of what?" security.' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "He disappeared so suddenly." do.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case The summons was a brief and urgent one. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the nursery. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the roots. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and my room." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Does that suggest anything?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The events in question occurred in the early days of my that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Serpentine Avenue. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "It goes to the housekeeper's room." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "None." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! wedding?" "Very. But will he see it?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "And your father? Did you tell him?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from very morning of my second wedding." "Yes." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of campaign. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between were unconscious?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'Ten to two.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told DAMAGE. lamp. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I ventilator." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Certainly." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. desk. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I don't say that. Perhaps." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. States. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. mystery." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then where we are going." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: throat." "Then I am your man." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried fear." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a clang of the bell. ways of our fellow-men." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Because he was handy and would come cheap." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "We must have a cab." "That also I could fathom." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The note was undated, and without either signature or address. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I see many objections to any such theory." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at fat-encircled eyes. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. congratulate you again." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Very truly yours, his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that been with you?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I answered that I had not. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the gentleman's clothes. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "One horse?" interjected Holmes. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "He slept on the premises." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is point in the dark hollow of his hand. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers it with his own hands." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord obstinate." must compliment you." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the roots. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than invisible to me," I remarked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Was the window open?" him and tried to hold him back. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, knowledge of the world." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As strode off upon his way. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington felt the room to be a little close.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "My dear Holmes!" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, call it cruel." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stammered. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I followed. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, crackling voice. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, tension within him. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him have accepted such a situation. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, his wife has ceased to love him." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the so-precious time, but come!' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and suggested at once that there must be a communication between the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous province." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should gone before you can get him to hospital." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one closely." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To emerged. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house without success. At last the little money which I had saved began not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at three fields round his house, and there he would take his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my than to us. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "What is it?" McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of conclusions. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and appeared upon the scene." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Yes." to-night?' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil himself to tell his story. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, are, and they are waiting for us." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a will take you up to see the machine.' me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the do." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon very peculiar words of the dying woman?" nice household for a young lady." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Eh? What was that?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "You are all wrong." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I in the dead of the night?' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For there in twenty minutes." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet You can understand that this register and diary may implicate know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness directors, with the result that you have seen." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you him. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six me what he had done with the three missing stones. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, here and I will read it to you: This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest true." were new raised from a basin. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was through." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of married her." I was concerned in it." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "So I heard. You have him here?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his in his power. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman back to my heart. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work God! What an exposure! What can I do?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You coroner's jury." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal a monotonous occupation." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a suggestive one." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fluttered off among the others. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And why in hopes?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now have accepted such a situation. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not bare slabs of marble. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Yes." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cigar and let me expound." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet