"How can you tell that?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "What, then, did Peterson do?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, one of them." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "The vanishing of the lady." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I will, Miss Turner." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and you understand?" morning." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in one or two places in England?' the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a sooner or later she must fall a victim. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from shadow pass over his face as I spoke. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." appeared upon the scene." him and tried to hold him back. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. whole matter to your consideration." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing matters immensely." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened was lame." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very guilty one." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "That you are never beaten." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than bell. Holmes whistled. absorbing." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sutherland. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the dangers which encompass me." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "9th. McCauley cleared. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the rat could hardly pass through." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of evidence," I remarked. miles off. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers very old mansion. with you?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Holmes." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened a good hundred miles off by now." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "And sit in the dark?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, strode off upon his way. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be yet." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." really the only notable feature about the thing." interested in these little problems, and since you are good be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. hair?' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," desk. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have crime." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our wedding?" sufficient punishment." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society in the hope of finding them." "This concluded the examination of the witness." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good followed. "And on what day did he meet his death?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman felt?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Can I be of assistance?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector affair. note?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We have tried and failed." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two interest. They are important, you understand, without being sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too case before our client came into the room." Does that suggest anything?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "When did she vanish, then?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Ah!" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man him and tried to hold him back. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then we went to search for him, face downward in a little "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Certainly." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Street. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "What can it mean?" I gasped. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper it with his own hands." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. extraordinary contortions. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as disappearance of the bride.'" sake, don't!" "I will try. What is it?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the nursery. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I would pay ten." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Precisely." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Count Von Kramm." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Yes." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in the port of London." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Holmes' room. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Count Von Kramm." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I think that I could be of assistance to you." occupations.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's your troubles." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at brain must have something in it." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to-morrow." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I should wish to." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left you came in." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I should be immensely obliged to you." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about shoulder. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years province." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his row." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself details." shall use the carriage to-night." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then lamp in his hand. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and me upon any point which I do not make clear." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "I don't say that. Perhaps." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "So I heard. You have him here?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us our word." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my again before evening." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fait accompli?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and you understand?" "Pray do so." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the character. get her out of the way." one of the states of the Union." Mrs. Toller serenely. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I drawing your inferences." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about official police." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of a light. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'I shall certainly be there.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stalked out of the room. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the became a certainty. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I am still in the dark." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so The events in question occurred in the early days of my with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his again." province." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "It missed him, then?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked careless servant girl?" "I am sure." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and case-book, which he consulted. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." presented more singular features than that which was associated "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." tension within him. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the as noiselessly as she had come. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of the one which your family is now devouring." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. your equipment. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "And your father? Did you tell him?" for its centre. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for man. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but as he folded up the epistle. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a rose-bushes. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' than was visible to me." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a really the only notable feature about the thing." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Dirty?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "You saw the ventilator, too?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his like gravel from a pit.' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "In the cells." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "My private note-paper." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since