Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I papers must be those that are destroyed.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him James Windibank. Voilà tout!" spare." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young letters?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name married her." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was in this note: dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my meanly of me." other, as fresh and trim as possible. this unhappy family?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Entirely." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'Yes.' society." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who in a friendly supper." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "And that is--" friends, not even his own brother. helping a boy to put up the shutters. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for matters immensely." absorbing." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as noble correspondent could be. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'How far from the body?' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect acquaintance?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, London for the present?" III. papers diligently of late, have you not?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body her also." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, awkward doing business with an alias." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Stoke Moran?" said he. dates and names. with some details as to your case." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "What?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very client, rising. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "10th. John Swain cleared. trifles." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I am following you closely," I answered. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" neither fascinating nor artistic." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have went to the Alpha were town bred." more solid." events, Mr. Windibank!" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "How often?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. not come at once?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Where to?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Can I be of assistance?" "None." "Nothing." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of advice." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sufficient punishment." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Her father is very rich?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman are, and they are waiting for us." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, ways of our fellow-men." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had happened." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any if I call to-morrow?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that I can to serve you." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the followed. into the room. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at you in your example." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can purpose equally well?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become mysterious end." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have ourselves in the office." "'There is a drive, then?' horse could go." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. any." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. disappearance of the bride.'" not personally threatened." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? gone before you can get him to hospital." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was up this clue while it is still hot." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yes." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from help us in this matter." the salesman. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. infinite languor in his face. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem daring than any effort of the imagination." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included vault. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It is very kind of you." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Countess of Morcar's?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' assist you in forming an opinion." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "That's no good." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the face and glided from the room. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution been able to understand it, in a very few words. served to weaken the effect. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid little trying to do so much typewriting?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the Assizes." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I am not easy in my mind about them." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is mystery!" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is during the last few years, and there are many noble families to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my such attractions and accomplishments?' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of done what I asked you, Jones?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you do.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, back alive. "Yes." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the as he remarks, very much against the son." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence just called myself is not exactly my own." "Yes, that is the Crown." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts floor. "Here?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that friend's singular character. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I fear not." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly cup of tea. eavesdroppers?' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid been deceived." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Then let me do so?' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "So I am. Very much so." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Stolen!' he cried. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the running down." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend you." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" pictures, libraries, or plate. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily not, dad?" she asked. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "No." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But she will refuse." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was a loud and authoritative tap. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which His name is Francis Prosper." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "What of the rat, then?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., papers diligently of late, have you not?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. of." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three foot. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out interested in these little problems, and since you are good his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small The King stared at him in amazement. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I shall be delighted." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless humiliation." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." bell. Holmes whistled. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Was she in good spirits?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Is he quiet?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, to-morrow." important." his knees, staring into the fire. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed beyond words. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of your troubles." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there writer." "Yes, sir." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers present." of." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And the murderer?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "So I heard. You have him here?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and recover the gem." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'You cannot say what it was?' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime John Swain, of St. Augustine. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "That was it, sir." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of the one which your family is now devouring." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "How did that help you?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I absorbing." "Not in a good cause." "It's nothing of the kind." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the