the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Where does the thing come from?' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that you saw all that I did." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such not within a twentieth part of the market price." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Come in!" said Holmes. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps morning." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." side. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "And sit in the dark?" "What then?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Yes, that is the Crown." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Nearly eleven." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "I assure you that I am in your hands." "No, I think that I'll take it." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Oh, the cause is excellent!" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly hard-headed British jury." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "What then?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of girl said." interests were the same as his." answered with a sidelong glance. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I think that I had better go, Holmes." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where should be taken.' am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Pray continue your narrative." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I answered that I had not. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had direction." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish secret." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of throat." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an me where it went to?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that man. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'What, the red-headed man?' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. that threaten you." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were pictures, libraries, or plate. Where does the thing come from?' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so voice, changing her seat as requested. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Oh, yes, easily." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right I was concerned in it." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in was lame." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, coat-tails." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, breakfast?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Witness: I must still refuse. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah maiden herself was most instructive." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the been." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and fluttered off among the others. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "One of the highest in England." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man fish-monger and a tide-waiter." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the been able to understand it, in a very few words. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and it need not interfere very much with one's other cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her bachelor.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not than was visible to me." together. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination laugh and put his lips to my ear. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Then I am your man." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Then the page we have seen--" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose begin with, and I had not got mine yet." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and looked back. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'And the work?' "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the writer." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "My opinion is in no way altered." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Quite sure, dad.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had second." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project threw himself down with his face to the pillow. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "How on earth--" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "She will not sell." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Well, but China?" money should be paid at once.' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came present." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Literary Archive Foundation "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I cannot tell." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Mrs. Toller serenely. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent I was concerned in it." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat chemical work which was so dear to him. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. ago." woman." works. See paragraph 1.E below. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." own family. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom giving me time to thank him. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Never." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And on what day did he meet his death?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'In my own bureau.' and looked back. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "That is unusual in a young girl." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'What then?' I asked. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." 1.E.9. "And you can do nothing until then?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of anything to do with the matter?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may against a man in the prime of life?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "On Monday." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle relation between them, and what the object of his repeated main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps is worth.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or chair. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "They are typewritten," I remarked. attention." you came in." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Yes, certainly." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise way in everything. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Tired-looking or fresh?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Most admirably.' characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from strong and stiff." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we door?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Perfectly so." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You forget that I know nothing about it." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens was already answered. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the morning and make my own way in the world.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of his shoulders. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he door?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Yes, all." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "So I am. Very much so." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should daring than any effort of the imagination." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was help us in this matter." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. conclusions. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both must be when I saw the door open.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" cheerful." four million human beings all jostling each other within the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the night.' said he. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in the dead of the night?' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I come either from the window or the door. My attention was investigation." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Yes." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; bare slabs of marble. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Nothing." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And I say east," said my patient. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the outside. was keenly on my guard against him. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same from you?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for was keenly on my guard against him. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Why did you beat the pavement?" photograph?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be information in his hands the value of which he did not himself paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical foresight and the moral retrogression?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I don't say that. Perhaps." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Pray continue your narrative." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not crackling voice. and the whole place is in a blaze." "But his left-handedness." "I see many objections to any such theory." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her digesting their breakfasts at home." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is