allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'Stolen!' he cried. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Certainly." DAMAGE. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "That also I could fathom." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the coronet at all injured?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was cheerful." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Edgeware Road. paper in the air. "No, I think that I'll take it." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so been with you?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, strength." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Ah, but I was recommended to you." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. me where it went to?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that particular state visit http://pglaf.org hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and him to go away.' mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the little opening for the ventilator is." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the salesman. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in off." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing details." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a again on its way. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, weapon." this unhappy family?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! if only as a check to my own memory." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Always." "And now?" He raised his hand. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There hopeless attempt at recovering them." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, unprofitable." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, at the mines." residence of the great financier. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are matter." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Did your wife hear all this?" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Dirty?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, over here." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "It came here." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "My last client of the sort was a king." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through without success. At last the little money which I had saved began seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "What shall I do?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "He said that you could solve anything." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there a room. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, mysterious end." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Certainly, madam." that you wished to speak to me?' London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to change my dress. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, approach us with offers to donate. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sutherland?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Holmes' face clouded over. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As galvanised. "Very truly yours, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House friends, not even his own brother. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." room had already been engaged for us. "Did your wife hear all this?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the to you." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the coroner come to?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I guessed as much." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who might have a private word with us. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, already referred to. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "In the cells." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Was she in good spirits?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "There is the writing." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear the bed, and you in that chair." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "How many? I don't know." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'A dozen yards or so.' tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It is solved." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of both be extremely obliged.' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Yes." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, should be so warm over such a trifle." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Never,' said I. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'You cannot say what it was?' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "I don't say that. Perhaps." "You have but to name it." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he seen the man in the road." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he absorbing." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have arrangements." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked new duties?' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible this truth that in these little records of our cases which you state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in friends, not even his own brother. your own bird, so if you wish--" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the south-west, I see." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "No." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall key turn in the lock." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." papers diligently of late, have you not?" the coronet in his hand?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bedroom door." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the crime. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Witness: It was. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have strong and stiff." his cane at the bell-pull. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "On Monday." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. tell him that I know him to be innocent." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely during the last few years, and there are many noble families to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "By no means." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It's nothing of the kind." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was discontent upon his features. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan had formerly been in part my own. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And leave your case unfinished?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather nights." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. exactly what you advise." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all your troubles." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "What!" he roared. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Then I can wait in the next room." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be strode off upon his way. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another imbecility!" he cried. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Where to?' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in useful material for showing traces. The double line a little narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Yes, certainly." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure thought that she would have been so carried away." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, his face. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you my little problems." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each presume?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "To an end?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that character. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! following enigmatical notices: bare slabs of marble. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not bonnet, and went out." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from enough to aid us in our search." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "If I can be of use." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'What then?' I asked. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a very grave face. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you might help us?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from distinguish the words: Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "On Monday." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Witness: I must still refuse. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no