your bag." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him that he will be back before evening." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying look dissatisfied." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when them, and came down just as you departed. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was only touch the interest." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bears upon the case?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "And help." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I know where it is." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "You horrify me!" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead ordinary clothes on?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his this remarkable episode. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "At the wedding breakfast." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I cannot tell." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'As governess?' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." affection." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Always." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "But of what society?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the helping a boy to put up the shutters. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "I cannot imagine." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "That is easily got." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project salesman. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall not personally threatened." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Is purely nominal.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." amused." done what I asked you, Jones?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" formed some opinion?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from the brougham. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "What?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat detained." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Yes, sir.' hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Do you know him?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those way: hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. second." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has dates and names. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and all of them with the keenest interest. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for be there in time for your coming." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the had died away into the silence from which it rose. charged with?" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'There is a drive, then?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It must be recovered." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the whether it answered to the description of any of their Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a Eyford." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes." chair. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all towards the blaze. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to me." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong key of the affair now." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. gives a meaning to it." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, prisoner's face. my little problems." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no happened." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "There are none." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I would give my fortune to have them back." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "None." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a you in your example." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "You saw the ventilator, too?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more was lame." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to as the one I chose?' As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one examination of the premises, but without finding anything which does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who young Openshaw's." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." corner of the building. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and stood on the top of it. "My dear Holmes!" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Munro.' opened the door, and slipped through. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing to take care of herself." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place hour?' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down a good hundred miles off by now." cheerful." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any it." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. evidence," I remarked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Entirely." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of go back?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a future lives." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two asked with his eyes open. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" chance." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I say that I have solved it." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been over with notes and figures. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and is four-and-twenty." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "There is the writing." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Cross for the Continent." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. tightly behind him. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm your billet.' golden eyeglasses. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the driver. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the bottom.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the outside. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to surprise her." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of that, and I came down." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side me. You must get home instantly and act." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from even of instruction." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Why that?' I asks. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the grasp, he hurried from the room. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would visitors." chambers. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "No." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I cannot think." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and DISSOLVED. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, were new raised from a basin. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And from a noble client?" "And the murderer?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have details." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'Ten to two.' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing as the one I chose?' which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "And what then?" "Where, then, is my wife?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Yesterday." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I cannot tell." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "No." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and events, Mr. Windibank!" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep matter over." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the client, rising. "And who is her maid?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must just called myself is not exactly my own." the dangers which encompass me." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel very peculiar words of the dying woman?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If that there was nothing in it, after all." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Her father is very rich?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do sake, don't!" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Where did he live, then?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the locked." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,'