she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my to have been novel and of interest." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Whose house is it?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "And I." "What then?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the date of his supposed suicide." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, you for a few hours?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had chill to my heart. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such your co-operation." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of campaign. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any true." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together do.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the signal between you and your father? the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in a friendly supper." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this fat-encircled eyes. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always unprofitable." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had II. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards crackling voice. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I mystery." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "But what is it you wish?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I know where it is." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "The vanishing of the lady." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle tell me that you intended to go into harness." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt until night should bring an explanation. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Mary, has deserted me." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town or in danger--" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and light and attacked it." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in my life." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. some water from a caraffe. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the depend upon my doing so.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should infinite languor in his face. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put place, I think that there is good ground to think that the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "The landlord of the Alpha." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up over with notes and figures. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a face and glided from the room. writers could invent nothing more crude." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I cannot think." power." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I carried out of court." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, this remarkable episode. acted in my house last night?" fire. You quite follow me?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'And the work?' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "You will not go there first?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "What will you say?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to take care of herself." in a very precise fashion." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the coronet in his hand?" "Do you go out much in society?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' you for a few hours?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can one of the states of the Union." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my copied or distributed: A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and inquire as to the address." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, shall use the carriage to-night." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "A call for help, you thought?" learned something! Where are the gems?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a three of the beryls in it, was missing. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She words came to my lips. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I it right.' "It is true that I have been generally successful." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime little adventures." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and that he would see to anything that turned up. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching think, you have already met." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "I cannot as yet see any connection." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without people in all walks of life. "Then I shall certainly come." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of made his money." is now desirous of getting those letters back." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a shoulder; "he's all right." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." south, for the country is more deserted there." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a beyond words. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Do you know him?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then you may be so with me." "There are none." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I am following you closely," I answered. "But how?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her made him keep the appointment." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John where she found matters as described by the last witness. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, national property. I was determined that the law should have its have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "One of his hands." "We must have a cab." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You heard nothing yourself last night?" a very grave face. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well, some hundreds of times." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got fait accompli?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "What shall I do?" "Perfectly so." "He slept on the premises." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It was an hour's good drive." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sutherland?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily where we are going." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Not social, then?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No, I think that I'll take it." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, you." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two affection." "The landlord of the Alpha." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "By train from Waterloo." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, be.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Not I." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said forehead. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened locked. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "You have compromised yourself seriously." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in crime." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "And the cigar-holder?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them said he. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending dead, shall be safe with us." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have I gained?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past roused himself from his reverie. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "On your arm?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At one of them." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from him and tried to hold him back. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would words came to my lips. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the ceiling. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." as noiselessly as she had come. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "VIOLET HUNTER." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the some city in a dream. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Then I can wait in the next room." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and the whole place is in a blaze." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though speckled band?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his me." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used