"It is his hat." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, nonsense.' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "But your client--" "I cannot tell." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other quite distinctive." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Then he might have called to you?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. province." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Yes, that is the Crown." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It is half-past ten now." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, said I. any more." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I am in hopes that she does." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a when your master had gone out." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, a suggestive one." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the entirely lost his self-respect." noble correspondent could be. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There your bag." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully shall not find me ungrateful." "The vanishing of the lady." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A lamp in his hand. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "What shall I do?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a felt?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real investigation." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and were wasted." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no despair." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "What will you do, then?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quite distinctive." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped was once confined in the cab my mission was practically red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'It is locked up,' I answered. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts room?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end there!' "You will not go there first?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Yesterday." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the dramatic, in fact." "My dear Holmes!" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when his wife has ceased to love him." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried remarked. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "BALLARAT." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended were new raised from a basin. very morning of my second wedding." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "But what will you do?" lost nothing by them." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Stolen." "None." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Come in!" said Holmes. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the general public were present, then?" strong reason behind." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Pool. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "It is no ordinary one." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb south, for the country is more deserted there." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the his huge brown hands. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my towards the blaze. "How did you deduce the select?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but it right.' "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen me where it went to?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." quick march!" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It is his hat." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "And you thought he was pulled back?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than will take you up to see the machine.' "Ah!" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "By all means." eat it." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "'Yes, it was gone.' washing it down with a long draught of water. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Yes." "Yes?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with not as remarkable as your advertisement." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Very truly yours, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, own family. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend forbidden door. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Nothing?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her tell him that I know him to be innocent." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward your own bird, so if you wish--" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Do you receive much company?" he asked. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "What! You do not mean bodies?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate of." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless your co-operation." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as have got?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Nearly eleven." upon the white wrist. nice household for a young lady." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; call you and give you the chance." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him jewels which you have stolen?' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the seven miles from Eyford Station.' prisoner's face. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the coroner come to?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my train.' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Oh, yes, easily." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Did you become engaged then?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "No bad?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Murdered?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Yes, certainly." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an awkward doing business with an alias." "You think that he is dead?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I see many objections to any such theory." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and laid it on the table. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been McCarthy." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "No." that he will be back before evening." "Then I do not see the point." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my his forehead." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of go from here to the Strand." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "It is a murder, then?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Indeed! Whose, then?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "She showed me, as I told you she would." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive The King stared at him in amazement. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it thirty. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Nearly eleven." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I have hopes." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the upon the sideboard." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery against a man in the prime of life?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly lumber-room." is," said he presently: him!" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Watson," he said cordially. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'I am sure if I had known--' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "How on earth--" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand the address that was given us in the advertisement. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "It looks newer than the other things?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I answered that I had not. quite distinctive." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, not within a twentieth part of the market price." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and a shock of very red hair. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no humiliation." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I cannot think." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at lost nothing by them." families. Now for the facts. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "What then?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler The summons was a brief and urgent one. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from with some details as to your case." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an into her hand at the door and which lured her within their not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Eh? What was that?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes, it would be as well." Lee, in the county of Kent." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Her father is very rich?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had