"Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not imbecility!" he cried. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid up this clue while it is still hot." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, existence." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in and a shock of very red hair. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "But she could not love him." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was power." fait accompli?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "The decline of his fortunes, then?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon completely overtopped every other consideration that we both at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "So I have heard." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "He said that you could solve anything." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" burst out into a roar of laughter. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There new duties?' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the house with me." a good hundred miles off by now." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the stable lane now." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, yards of it?' "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, before the coroner and the police-court." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. know that the truth is known." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a himself to tell his story. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you in your example." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to take care of herself." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "I have seen the police." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Has he come with you to-night?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get his cane at the bell-pull. him and tried to hold him back. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the Red-headed League." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Never.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my never will be, entirely cleared up. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, roused himself from his reverie. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "And is that all?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The doctor?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. without a word or a look. mystery." our word." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I you?' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that happened." joking. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." status with the IRS. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. morning." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out McCarthy." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the your billet.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the very letters. But what is this written above them?' coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram see me here to avoid scandal." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "By all means." strength in the others." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special forebodings. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once McCarthy's innocence. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' shaken than I had ever seen him. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from ways including including checks, online payments and credit card dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when affair. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up giving me time to thank him. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from occupations.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I should be immensely obliged to you." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his wife has ceased to love him." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It is no ordinary one." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you want, then?' morning." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "He might." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes. He waved his hands." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness when your master had gone out." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little any more." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His The police have openly confessed that they can at present make seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "No good news?" "It looks newer than the other things?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Yes, from Horsham." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 investigation." "Why serious?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. felt the room to be a little close.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the crackling voice. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram and wait." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "What is it?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their away in different directions, and I went off to make my own all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I you, my dear young lady?' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Where is it, then?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the said Mr. Holder. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, within hail.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way to a light-house. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I think it very unlikely." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked ways of our fellow-men." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five populous neighbourhood." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You have compromised yourself seriously." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its there was no need for father to know." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "None." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "That also I could fathom." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Street. ago." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be as yours." amused." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you golden eyeglasses. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it cheerful." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the very letters. But what is this written above them?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the devil!" Sholtos." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." your room." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that reach." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "And you can do nothing until then?" was keenly on my guard against him. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in read it out to me." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Then he might have called to you?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether prison!" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture instincts rose up against that laugh. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think thin legs towards the fire. "Very truly yours, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon a handsome competence. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black what is your own theory as to what took place?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards events than those which have happened in my own family." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Watson," he said cordially. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much kindly on the shoulder. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That entirely devoid of interest." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are soul! here is her carriage at the door." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, one of them." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. that?' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into key of the affair now." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious I approached. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said there in twenty minutes." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to-night?" I asked. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a to affect your life." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by written, and locked the door of the office after me. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; little adventures." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems indeed which he could not unravel. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the look dissatisfied." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my noble correspondent could be. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in mystery." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fire. You quite follow me?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the Assizes." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "What then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen