even so self-evident a thing as that." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Perhaps we may make them less so." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial hurried away. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my of them has the shutters up.' "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and the whole place is in a blaze." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Then, how do you know?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were even of instruction." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was said he. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and your relations to her." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hurried by. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess http://www.gutenberg.net clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "No, distinctly professional." death." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had my special province." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have south, for the country is more deserted there." you came in." ago." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a redistribution. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it there were one or two details which were new to me. But the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring me, and I could not think that his explanation of the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cheerful." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to bill, which interests me deeply." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "He might." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth his face which made him a very different person to the round, "It came here." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Stolen!' he cried. salesman. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen papers diligently of late, have you not?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have putting in the horse. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "And leave your case unfinished?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front see a sister of mine apply for." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hour." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It is solved." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we stalked out of the room. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had it. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently at home. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Heh?' 11:15.' "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lost nothing by them." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I unprofitable." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'Very good.' companion. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the have got?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's hands. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "And now?" I asked. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that before taking the final step I should like to submit the photograph?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to a light-house. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across his huge brown hands. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that dates and names. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing lost nothing by them." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he approach us with offers to donate. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see pictures, libraries, or plate. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that as he remarks, very much against the son." "And how in the world did you find them?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I has little to do with my story." drawing your inferences." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Then the page we have seen--" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a up this clue while it is still hot." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Pray do so." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." at a side door. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that, and I came down." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his daring than any effort of the imagination." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the meant it for the best. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'I am sure if I had known--' one's self under obligations.' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." them?" himself in a perplexing position. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those hand, madam?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. you." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if intrusion of other matters." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our few hundred pounds.' "At half-wages, in fact." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "To an English lawyer named Norton." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Gutenberg-tm License. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One easy-going way." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "At half-wages, in fact." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "It is a murder, then?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch which we had just quitted. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tapping his fingers upon the table. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The telegram which we eventually received came late one night lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. with the outside air!" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I both be extremely obliged.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Yes, they were peculiar boots." recover the gem." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "That you are never beaten." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is strode off upon his way. dramatic, in fact." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "What do you mean?" photograph?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he during that time.' "We must have a cab." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." once more for Briony Lodge. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to that?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some gone before you can get him to hospital." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "What steps will you take?" I asked. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right even of instruction." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came when you have done it." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each round and wave him away like that.' Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal about here speaks of his kindness to him." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. bonnet, and went out." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I am sure." following enigmatical notices: had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened you." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And now?" I asked. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that entirely devoid of interest." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, any more." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And how did you verify them?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes' face clouded over. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that your co-operation." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "But you would not advise me to refuse?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and coroner's jury." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Then let me do so?' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who beyond words. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able friends, not even his own brother. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in out." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I have seen the police." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'In my own bureau.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it are windows in it, of course?" "What have you to say now?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Tired-looking or fresh?" was a lad." "Was your sister dressed?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for all-comprehensive glances. his fortune, and I went back to pa. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It goes to the housekeeper's room." kind enough to tell me what I should do." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside at a side door. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and a shock of very red hair. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I have my revolver," said I. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the warnings." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'And the work?' "That is it on the dressing-table." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Your sister is dead, then?" you, my dear young lady?' "I don't say that. Perhaps." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She McCarthy." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I that?' had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Yes, certainly." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which