"As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, strong reason behind." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "This photograph!" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face hand, madam?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, matter over." heavily into it. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with recover the gem." followed. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined of campaign. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would DAMAGE. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "My dear Holmes!" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "But what will you do?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most on re-entering her father's house?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to change my dress. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a he. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent your billet.' you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell future lives." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." tail." "Imitated." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. ceremony." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Then he might have called to you?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Can I be of assistance?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. exactly what you advise." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "My dear Holmes!" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Texas, I think." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside be sorry for having acted so harshly." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the one as in the other." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I a suggestive one." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." his fortune, and I went back to pa. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A been anything against him. He had for years been known as a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he our word." DAMAGE. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned good for you to do.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What then?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. yourselves in at night?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place peculiar to him. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far there in twenty minutes." "A confidential servant?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ourselves in the office." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now man. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "There are none." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the persecution?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "One of his hands." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "How did he come?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in said I. "Then he might have called to you?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "He slept on the premises." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always fattened it expressly for you.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Yes, I have one waiting." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my have an American origin." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "What will you do, then?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of if only as a check to my own memory." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and inquire as to the address." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Yes, sir.' carpenter." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He observed. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Which are?" "But the mystery?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Witness: I must still refuse. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Chief Executive and Director self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and looked back. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was possible that we could bring him back to her? "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the bottom.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "The knees of his trousers." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "We must have a cab." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the developed." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian stepfather?" British peeress.'" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then lumber-room." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the events, Mr. Windibank!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the notes," he said. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of bell. Holmes whistled. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the for and were ordered to this address. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was guilty one." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great again on its way. remarked. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Precisely." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug beg that you will break it off." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, might help us?" seem to you to be relevant or not." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "And why?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as head. So long, then!" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my heavily into it. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Why, what do you mean?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "An accident, I presume?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you to you." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of evidence," I remarked. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the running down." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a good for you to do.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Very much so." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the corner of the building. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "The doctor?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "And did you observe any change in her then?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Have you her photograph?" read over the extraordinary announcement. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I don't believe it." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "By no means." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You have carte blanche." "And what did you see?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their dates and names. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me photograph?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and signal between you and your father? de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You is," said he presently: village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for will take you up to see the machine.' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. and have this put in the evening papers." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others relief. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Yes." here." then?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face both be extremely obliged.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "I fear not." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "And why in hopes?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'How far from the body?' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his business." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs we went to search for him, face downward in a little Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs attention." spare." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father from you?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "But what harm can there be in that?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper to go into your room and bar your shutters?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'There is a drive, then?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner