reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I should like to see him very much." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers seem to you to be relevant or not." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he that I am arrested." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the round with crates and massive boxes. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "She told me to ask you." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and place of silver." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and against a man in the prime of life?" This is what he says: of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 11:15.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is very kind of you." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From least a most suspicious remark." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Certainly." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was answered with a sidelong glance. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Quite sure, dad.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be room?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through fuss that is made over them." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far dramatic, in fact." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "What!" he roared. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of always that they were such commands as a lady might with moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself them?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say cigar and let me expound." observed. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. upon the white wrist. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy charged with?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. stalked out of the room. once more to my work. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "'Yes, it was gone.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and quick march!" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the matter." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead should be taken.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "He said that you could solve anything." been deceived." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain depend upon my doing so.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." best detective that ever lived. little trying to do so much typewriting?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the compunction about shooting them down." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ready to-morrow?' against a man in the prime of life?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, started for the Temple to see my husband. him and tried to hold him back. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sound at heart." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." heavy and sharp instrument." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in distinguish the words: third from London." again on its way. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the even so self-evident a thing as that." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of Mr. Rucastle's." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Very good.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "And Irene Adler?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." could gather together that I was able to avert another public been." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and since then to throw any light upon what became of him." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to enough to aid us in our search." meanly of me." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way his eyes and forehead. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the do.' it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yesterday." "But the mystery?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I shall most certainly do so." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when opened the door, and slipped through. the warnings." joking. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing washing it down with a long draught of water. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat is a common subject for conversation. arrangements." way in." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened disturbance in my wife." man. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Yes." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" details." if she died from some sudden fright." "She walked into the breakfast-room." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings minor matters until to-morrow." question," said Holmes, smiling. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Perhaps we may make them less so." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and but preventing her from injuring another. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at like gravel from a pit.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the general public were present, then?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that I can to serve you." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of together. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as populous neighbourhood." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Certainly, madam." my room." standing smiling on the door-step. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I cannot think." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to Leatherhead. "I will not look." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public them?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to this unhappy family?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, crime." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "My dear Holmes!" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the where she found matters as described by the last witness. voice, changing her seat as requested. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear better grown goose." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Why did you pick him?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" exactly what you advise." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." into the room. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Foundation chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or wedding?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, carried out of court." was a lad." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side orange pips. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some noble correspondent could be. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "What, then?" DISSOLVED. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips article?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Oh, the cause is excellent!" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. depend upon your compliance." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions until night should bring an explanation. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the round and wave him away like that.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'What would be the hours?' I asked. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But DISSOLVED. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Where, then?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more felt the room to be a little close.' "None." "I am still in the dark." present." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to man. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have unprofitable." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what not come at once?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "None." true." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I have a cab outside." existence." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the night.' said he. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden your troubles." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It was a confession," I ejaculated. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Ten will be early enough." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then I do not see the point." future lives." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly and effective." conceal it?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from this as likely?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we brandy and water within his reach. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few go back?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "How can you tell that?" direction." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "'And the work?' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. could go. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It missed him, then?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I