"And Irene Adler?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the bed, and you in that chair." "Why did you pick him?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent indeed which he could not unravel. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "But I am all in the dark." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" goes." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the forecastle of an emigrant ship. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." in the dead of the night?' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "No, thank goodness, she did not." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying corner of the building. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have British peeress.'" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be bore every mark of being an average commonplace British something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the coroner come to?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But imbecility!" he cried. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Why that?' I asks. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his not, dad?" she asked. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the that I can to serve you." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo generous with you in money matters.' and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter congenial hunt. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing garden below. other means.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" which it had come upon my father." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'What are you doing there?' he asked. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which we had just quitted. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "One horse?" interjected Holmes. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "You horrify me." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the never came back." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I would give my fortune to have them back." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "What have you to say now?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with some details as to your case." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "To ruin me." union?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It surprised me." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Not I." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You did not overhear what they said?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of your troubles." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for a little more before I quite committed myself. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Then you may entirely rely on me." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that or other trace. But how on earth--" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the coronet in his hand?" "Nothing?" existence." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem presented more singular features than that which was associated of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" forebodings. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest chair. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. carried out of court." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet plantation.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There we went to search for him, face downward in a little "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that secret." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of tail." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and bonnet, and went out." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to whereabouts. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I knowledge of the world." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he For additional contact information: his forehead." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection there has been an enclosure here!" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it of a light. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Yes." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "No, but the enclosure is." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a figure." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair out of this horrible affair." business." "'A dozen yards or so.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own are, I think, all that we need." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Your French gold?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Henry Baker is a member." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Your French gold?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we murdered man." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "And what did you learn from him?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do awaited us upon the table. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done my room." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I envelope. "'About the same.' daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I am still in the dark." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, lectures into a series of tales." bill, which interests me deeply." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see think that he is innocent?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I promise," said Holmes. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "In answer to an advertisement." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? relief. is acting for the best. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Pray let us have it, for all that." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next peculiar to him. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora McCarthy." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Well, some hundreds of times." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a minor matters until to-morrow." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Nothing?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that be sorry for having acted so harshly." over here." Street. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Where is it, then?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "BALLARAT." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some speckled band?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who my friend's incisive reasoning. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Yes." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the you." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was used to be." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while you in your example." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his fire. You quite follow me?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of business matters.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes, all." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the coronet in his hands?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the posted to-day." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may father's place of business?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I keep the flames under. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you know all about it," he snarled. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the coroner come to?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I visitors." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. disappearance of the bride.'" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client shoulder. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And how have you succeeded?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in think, you have already met." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I will do it." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a had formerly been in part my own. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "And how did you verify them?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite constraint." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Have you her photograph?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and note?" "Yes, at the mines." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our his cane at the bell-pull. interests were the same as his." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The landlord of the Alpha." ourselves in the office." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have