business?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the next day. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Stoke Moran?" said he. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, know that the truth is known." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you fat-encircled eyes. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Nothing?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an just called myself is not exactly my own." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a despaired of." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage been lifted and conveyed somewhere." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was he. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by advice." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily heavy and sharp instrument." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been never to learn it at all." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was The events in question occurred in the early days of my very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "The gentleman I describe." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "It looks newer than the other things?" giving me time to thank him. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "It goes to the housekeeper's room." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but question. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and some city in a dream. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Literary Archive Foundation against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for all that?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then I can wait in the next room." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of telegram would bring me down to your help." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads mystery." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I answered that I had not. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I think that I had better go, Holmes." which we had just quitted. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" on re-entering her father's house?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I should be immensely obliged to you." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added have not had my rubber." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is half-past ten now." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to invisible to me," I remarked. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It father's place of business?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have been." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "What will you do, then?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while upon the white wrist. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my second window is the one that I jumped from." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business more terrible than the truth. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and congratulate you again." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Where, then?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fear." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "No." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you possible that we could bring him back to her? "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the tell them apart.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could is now desirous of getting those letters back." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which your sleep?' from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still my little problems." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he disturbance in my wife." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Very much so." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his bachelor.' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. long narrative. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "My own seal." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have think that any burglar could have done. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety father's place of business?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of receipt of the work. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" both be extremely obliged.' locked." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her voice. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the definite end. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the very morning of the wedding." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for very old mansion. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is again." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! enter into my head. cup of tea. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity there has been an enclosure here!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying prisoner's face. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her closing the door. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining crime." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip matter." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "What do you mean?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "9th. McCauley cleared. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was head. So long, then!" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of voice. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Thank you. And your address?" ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of disturbance in my wife." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any shoulder; "he's all right." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Murdered?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I came to find a friend." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I have hopes." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local again before evening." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the running down." "By all means." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat indeed happy." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Doctor, of the paper and the date." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "No, but the enclosure is." "Eh? What was that?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the station." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'I am sure that I do not know.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal upon a handsome competence. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to II. "And your mother is alive?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't said he, "my real name is James Ryder." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." photograph?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Nothing?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, lectures into a series of tales." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "And what did you see?" "'And the work?' enter Dr. Roylott's room." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but and looked back. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that dear old homesteads?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "How do you know, then?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle discontent upon his features. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and purpose of examination. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "But she could not love him." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be south, for the country is more deserted there." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "No." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press this man was intellectual?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a so far?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. despair." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That do." was shining brightly. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were 1.E.9. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." ago." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' exactly what you advise." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She get her out of the way." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I am sure." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own begin with, and I had not got mine yet." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Street. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "And how have you succeeded?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And did you observe any change in her then?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously acted in my house last night?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "By no means." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Her father is very rich?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You have a clue?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? unkempt, staring out at me. important." them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "And your father? Did you tell him?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "My Mary? Impossible!" "Where to?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Yes, sir.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me you, my dear young lady?' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Miss Holder?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet."