"'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my sofa. This way, please!" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with children over to America with him, so that I found myself without husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "But his lameness?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to-morrow." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up my former friend and companion. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the to have been novel and of interest." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Cross for the Continent." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wedding?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at allusion to a rat. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to have been novel and of interest." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fasten all the windows?" "My own seal." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. you." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free reach." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident became a certainty. ago." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to see a sister of mine apply for." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There them, and came down just as you departed. as yours." was a lad." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that your equipment. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have had none more fantastic than this." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I interest. They are important, you understand, without being younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the present." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" people in all walks of life. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" hair?' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a highroad, where all traces were lost. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his London for the present?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And help." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Indeed! Whose, then?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification fuss that is made over them." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival have not had my rubber." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "An accident, I presume?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, just ask you whether you had heard it.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And your father? Did you tell him?" it means?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to him and tried to hold him back. Sutherland?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "You have but to name it." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Yes, I promise.' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us depend upon your compliance." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another with some details as to your case." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I existence." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no into the bag, and made for the door. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And now?" He raised his hand. "And it is--" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a matter over." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Chief Executive and Director the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the photograph?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "And I to find an enemy." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the individual and becomes the badge of a society." meant it for the best. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, visitors." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You have the photograph?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "How long did she speak to this Alice?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'Ample.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a your own bird, so if you wish--" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock address. pressing in one house as in another. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could The police have openly confessed that they can at present make it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in what do you think they found in the pockets?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, shoulder; "he's all right." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My private note-paper." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the bottom.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This voice. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This was keenly on my guard against him. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the one as in the other." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "You did not overhear what they said?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become to tell." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. constraint." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "None." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful hard-headed British jury." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our just ask you whether you had heard it.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I see many objections to any such theory." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in future lives." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point face and glided from the room. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the http://gutenberg.net/license). Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." fishes. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "None." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and or in danger--" as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "My last client of the sort was a king." "ARAT," I read. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called posted to-day." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the walking." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'About the same.' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' do.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than that upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "What?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'Never,' said I. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of very old mansion. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Yes, the wine-cellar." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. of." were wasted." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. present." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "He is dead," cried several voices. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector 1.F. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Come in!" said Holmes. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself there is a decided draught." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Arthur Conan Doyle "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my became a certainty. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "How can you tell that?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray our word." "I answered that I had not. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured learned something! Where are the gems?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled fact, we may call it conclusive." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which we had just quitted. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than come either from the window or the door. My attention was served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite death." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Thank you. And your address?" the coronet at all injured?" all-comprehensive glances. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at seem to you to be relevant or not." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "No bad?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these stepfather?" of them has the shutters up.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that awaited us upon the table. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary just called myself is not exactly my own." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of London for the present?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "How often?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three next day. "I will, Miss Turner." "Not particularly." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Who by?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in