IS "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "But his left-handedness." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a you." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual before the coroner and the police-court." the inquest, and which are worth considering." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "But it has twice been burgled." "It is true that I have been generally successful." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Texas, I think." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements did not hear it also.' "You have a clue?" do.' "So it appears." despaired of." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to know that the truth is known." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which said he. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to you." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check more solid." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining from you?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to fire. You quite follow me?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of your young ladies.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is in the dead of the night?' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "And who is her maid?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Well, it is a possible supposition." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" have got?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such she might be summoned. enter Dr. Roylott's room." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a neither fascinating nor artistic." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "He is dead," cried several voices. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend situation." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the driver. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "That was it, sir." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "How can you tell that?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, morning." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Sholtos." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had writers could invent nothing more crude." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. miles off. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "10th. John Swain cleared. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old be.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, advice." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite straightened it out again. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." what is your own theory as to what took place?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of foot. "And the murderer?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I have it here in my museum." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, man. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There helping a boy to put up the shutters. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had in my life." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "My opinion is in no way altered." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Holmes' thin, eager face. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'What, the red-headed man?' it right.' strength in the others." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my former friend and companion. "No bad?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in companion. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Will you bet, then?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Heh?' unkempt, staring out at me. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about DISSOLVED. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It surprised me." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. lamp. wife's character?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." memory. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "What, then, did Peterson do?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "How did that help you?" closing the door. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred yourselves in at night?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "No legal papers or certificates?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Absolutely none." "She told me to ask you." this remarkable episode. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "When did she vanish, then?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the McCarthy." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "But who is he?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the one as in the other." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I should wish to." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "And leave your case unfinished?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "And how did he make his money?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to light and attacked it." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, detective. strong reason behind." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the went to the Alpha were town bred." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, a room. colour had been driven from his face. "That is possible." "ARAT," I read. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to outside. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day waste of energy." "Yes." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "And leave your case unfinished?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lost nothing by them." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "But his left-handedness." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the you, my dear young lady?' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." was lame." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had his wife has ceased to love him." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Pope's Court, Fleet Street." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "What, then?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it over here." not within a twentieth part of the market price." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. leaning back in his chair. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a business?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So of his shoulders. "And why?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Then he might have called to you?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Indeed! Whose, then?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by again before evening." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a deduce something from that?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman several quiet little villages up there." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most amused." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. her also." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty present strange and interesting features that it is no easy enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to have that photograph." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read of campaign. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Pray be precise as to details," said he. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a success. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "'Where could I find him?' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had questioning and rather startled gaze. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you came in." chance at all." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. I held the little printed slip to the light. I nodded to show that I had heard. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I on re-entering her father's house?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and past. "I cannot imagine." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, yourselves in at night?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with gigantic client. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their I leave." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian man. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "VIOLET HUNTER." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" in this way: suspect him." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Always." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It presented more singular features than that which was associated Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "What of the rat, then?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. fait accompli?" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Stolen." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked served to weaken the effect. "How do you know, then?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and