while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. out." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. with frightened eyes at his accuser. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque your troubles." "The King of Scandinavia." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'I have heard so.' grasp, he hurried from the room. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Perfectly so." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We miles off. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "It's nothing of the kind." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a said Mr. Holder. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to Leatherhead. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "But not more so than I to find you." for the market.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in too. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while before, for it was considerably after midnight. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Certainly,' I answered. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "I was afraid that you were engaged." delirious. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A morning." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon danger is over." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Clair, of Lee." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried these bleak autumnal evenings." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if article?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Where is it, then?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I nodded to show that I had heard. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with you?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City mysterious business." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from golden eyeglasses. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Yes." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me singular points about the case. What did the police think of the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit bedroom door." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" mysterious end." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of to-night?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "How are you getting on?" "'Entirely.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "This photograph!" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I wife's character?" them, and came down just as you departed. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "But how did you gain them?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and prosperity to your house. Good-night." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of your young ladies.' "But how?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked page at http://pglaf.org great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Holmes, the busybody!" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I fear not." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all status with the IRS. of Fenchurch Street." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And help." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the companion quietly. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my locked. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Where, then?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets help us in this matter." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Ha! you find it so?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Then let me do so?' Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is his hat." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: exactly what you advise." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He your billet.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to-night." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that have established a very serious case against the son of the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Yes, only one." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, him and tried to hold him back. "Then you may be so with me." is," said he presently: effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were always that they were such commands as a lady might with "None." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, it would be as well." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "And Miss Sutherland?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a miles off. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I do." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading with her." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said might help us?" think, you have already met." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. exactly what you advise." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "May I see it?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the coronet in his hands?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "What are they?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from fear." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend even of instruction." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Where to?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." is," said he presently: full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you helping a boy to put up the shutters. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Whose house is it?" get her out of the way." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the IS this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "I would give my fortune to have them back." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Eyford at 11:15.' passage and a tap at the door. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. congenial hunt. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Which are?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" cigars in their mouths. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My husband's writing, madam." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found John Swain, of St. Augustine. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little it right.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But his lameness?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No." and all of them with the keenest interest. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hurried by. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "It looks newer than the other things?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Certainly." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I never have." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Holmes' face clouded over. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Holmes, the busybody!" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to lamp. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "How are you getting on?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the could gather together that I was able to avert another public living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Mary, has deserted me." "Certainly, madam." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And I." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one detective. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Deserted you?" "This photograph!" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "From his hat?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Cross for the Continent." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly introspective fashion. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "So I am. Very much so." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a good hundred miles off by now." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he just ask you whether you had heard it.' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "And what did you see?" "Have you her photograph?" foot. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he guilty parties." "To an English lawyer named Norton." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed points in connection with it which never have been, and probably had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working weigh very heavily upon my conscience." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Perhaps we may make them less so." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes, from Horsham." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The the driver. must compliment you." had picked up in the wood. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a