"Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Just look it up, then." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have other, as fresh and trim as possible. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "'And what salary do you ask?' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, should be so warm over such a trifle." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting business came to an end." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into own family. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What! You do not mean bodies?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through address. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to me." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Dr. Becher's." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every retorted upon me, and I on you." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before go back?" "But what is it you wish?" and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But he might be a bachelor." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you six. Come in!" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the could gather together that I was able to avert another public was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare it right.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his eyes and forehead. evidence," I remarked. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and What do you deduce from it?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and purpose equally well?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes." recover the gem." occurred." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "But how did you gain them?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend which our visitor detailed to us. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Stolen." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "The doctor?" kindly on the shoulder. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that problems help me to do so." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. papers must be those that are destroyed.' he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a other, as fresh and trim as possible. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the cigar and let me expound." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' easy-going way." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Because he was handy and would come cheap." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you during which he might have communicated with his friend the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. least a fellow-countryman. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I shall communicate with you." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as secret." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, there was no need for father to know." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "What!" he roared. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of call it cruel." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "What can you not understand?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry been." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it an introduction to him?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "How did you trace it, then?" man. I know him from the photograph." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." could go. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." about. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled it were putty." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been amused." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to off." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "The Cedars?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Have you her photograph?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head 1.E.9. both be extremely obliged.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. see me here to avoid scandal." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read at a side door. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Sholtos." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss walking." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Pope's Court. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I answered that I had not. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You have the photograph?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I should like to see him very much." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." think that he is innocent?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we helping a boy to put up the shutters. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." happened." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes." never to learn it at all." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It was an hour's good drive." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the King without delay." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Certainly." British peeress.'" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady shag which I had seen upon the previous night. a monotonous occupation." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the one as in the other." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in the hope of finding them." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the Assizes." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll His smile broadened. "'In my own bureau.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Then let me do so?' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, all-comprehensive glances. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Nothing." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and but preventing her from injuring another. Again Holmes raved in the air. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and that he would see to anything that turned up. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Not social, then?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, had died away into the silence from which it rose. outside." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." little trying to do so much typewriting?" as this. Pray let me have the details." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. letters?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off coat-tails." heavily into it. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." way in." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into populous neighbourhood." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Then you may be so with me." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, direction." rose-bushes. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet success. sofa. This way, please!" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Where does the thing come from?' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to miss it." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have one." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bed dies. Does not that strike you?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "No sign of it?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which someone who had been in Australia." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out is," said he presently: man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Pool. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, fattened it expressly for you.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying see a sister of mine apply for." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I records." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well hereditary King of Bohemia." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they whatever might befall. my special province." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are me, and I could not think that his explanation of the your equipment. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "I will get her to show me." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Do you go out much in society?" "'What then?' I asked. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the you came in." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' not personally threatened." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle the so-precious time, but come!' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cheerful." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through case-book, which he consulted. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me there when the Rucastles went away." furiously. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which gone. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "No bad?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the coat-tails." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations companion. husband's writing, madam." status with the IRS. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be about. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Really! You surprise me." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "But she will refuse."