A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Lee, in the county of Kent." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone seven miles from Eyford Station.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against intrusion of other matters." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge read it out to me." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and put his glass in his pocket. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to Leatherhead. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' annoyance, but no jest. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "An enemy?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen way: loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "No, finished." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "You will not go there first?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We envelope. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." strode off upon his way. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sofa. This way, please!" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place woman." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of photograph a cabinet?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "How did you trace it, then?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But she could not love him." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in he bowed and left the room without another word. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." to me. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "How can you tell that?" married her." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull it? Did I buy the geese off you?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's annoyance, but no jest. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Then let me do so?' light and attacked it." brandy and water within his reach. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a suggestive one." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. take the flies, but not before." and your relations to her." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the stable lane now." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But he might be a bachelor." "Quite so." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed bonnet, and went out." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Not in the least." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from the brougham. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. with frightened eyes at his accuser. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than appeared upon the scene." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" address. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with outbreak?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. papers must be those that are destroyed.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You saw the ventilator, too?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Then how many are there?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "You horrify me!" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Then I can wait in the next room." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a is worth.' satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have nonsense.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke when you have done it." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." already referred to. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "What steps will you take?" I asked. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the as he folded up the epistle. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it child?' of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'And what salary do you ask?' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very again." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "By no means." "And is that all?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "I have hopes." them present such singular features as the strange train of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and noble correspondent could be. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is very kind of you." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "By train from Waterloo." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be could go. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt eat it." forecastle of an emigrant ship. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "No. His orders were to stay in the house." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest possible that we could bring him back to her? "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ran thus: "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Young McCarthy must be got off, however." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself arrested. You then--" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on murdered man." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. investigation." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most man. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at perplexity from it to my illustrious client. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Thank you. Pray proceed." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, as this. Pray let me have the details." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew presented which may be striking and bizarre without being gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was works. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "And you don't know his address?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage It may be so in this case, also." walking." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could three of the beryls in it, was missing. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain murdered man." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Why did you pick him?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to politicians who had been sent down from the North. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back fear." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the coronet in his hand?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, his face. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a your co-operation." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." seem to you to be relevant or not." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." annoyance, but no jest. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk lips." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a four million human beings all jostling each other within the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "9th. McCauley cleared. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." is," said he presently: am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which this poor creature." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his which we had just quitted. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office where Mr. Fordham shows you.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness see me here to avoid scandal." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a highroad, where all traces were lost. "My Mary? Impossible!" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I should be immensely obliged to you." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our quick march!" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call page at http://pglaf.org so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Where to?' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "What, then, did Peterson do?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to any." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his my former friend and companion. detained." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, any." "Game for a morning drive?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, death." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'Yes.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Here?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his letters?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No, distinctly professional." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Certainly." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser other means.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless there." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "But what will you do?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, cigar and let me expound." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "My dear Holmes!" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Pray do so." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of morning." "In the cells." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third DISSOLVED. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by