hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'Very good.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on showing my impatience. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, late." "A client, then?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "No more words. Get out!" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever way in." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'I am sure that I do not know.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something she slowly sank and died without having recovered her The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of nonsense.' "'And what salary do you ask?' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the too. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old felt the room to be a little close.' get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "How on earth--" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, 1.E.9. the King without delay." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil been." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And who is her maid?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "But how?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon said I. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I became a certainty. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I am sure." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "And how in the world did you find them?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Thank you. Pray proceed." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I say that I have solved it." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but man. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror individual and becomes the badge of a society." there!' a room. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Of Friday, June 19th." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with of them has the shutters up.' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The rest you will leave in our hands." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, himself to hunt down. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Texas, I think." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so narrative." the morning and make my own way in the world.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client cigars in their mouths. in the dead of the night?' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He weighed down with some great anxiety. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to must compliment you." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pictures, libraries, or plate. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to arrive at through this?" "And how in the world did you find them?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. entirely devoid of interest." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Was your sister dressed?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend one of the states of the Union." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and outside." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Yes, but only for you and me." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I had died away into the silence from which it rose. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The doctor?" "And how have you succeeded?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he once more to my work. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to and inquire as to the address." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. investigation." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and the whole place is in a blaze." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his grey eyes. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and the whole place is in a blaze." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Indeed! Whose, then?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the as yours." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Of what?" Watson," he said cordially. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Leadenhall Street--and--" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "In the cells." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "My dear Holmes!" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "About a month then." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on writing, and yet I know it well." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I held the little printed slip to the light. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a My friend smiled. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the Red-headed League." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, meant." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no heavily into it. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Yes, all." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'Yes.' enough to aid us in our search." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What, then?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure go back?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "But not more so than I to find you." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put questioning and rather startled gaze. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, at the mines." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "What will you say?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is possible." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows went to the Alpha were town bred." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "What is it?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "How did you deduce the select?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to ran thus: morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Certainly, madam." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "In the cells." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door prepare for the new role I have to play." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' becomes even more simple." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my stepfather?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed himself to hunt down. beyond words. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the to-morrow." "One of the highest in England." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Holmes rather sternly. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up prison!" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange me." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of strong and stiff." writing, and yet I know it well." Stoke Moran." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your but preventing her from injuring another. "It must be recovered." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut obstinate." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up morning." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with humiliation." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "I have solved it." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Street. despair." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call there in twenty minutes." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of foresight and the moral retrogression?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train correct than the official force." the stable lane now." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which the matter?" following enigmatical notices: "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Entirely." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem your co-operation." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Yes." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What then?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "My photograph." do you make of it all?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and second window is the one that I jumped from." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood useful material for showing traces. The double line a little