business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "He disappeared so suddenly." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "No, I had a dozen." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the little opening for the ventilator is." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "When did it break out?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "No." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "What can it mean?" I gasped. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers me upon any point which I do not make clear." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You don't mind breaking the law?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "How did you deduce the select?" "No." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might once more on the important position which you have been fortunate don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "But his left-handedness." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "How many? I don't know." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' heavily into it. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "And leave your case unfinished?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sufficient punishment." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do you in your example." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a things are very often connected not with the larger but with the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'What are you doing there?' he asked. examine." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." lamp in his hand. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which infinite languor in his face. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us some mystery and the punishment of some crime." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he business came to an end." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You forget that I know nothing about it." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And what then?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Is he quiet?" charged with?" "You horrify me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive man. I know him from the photograph." "Stolen, then." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Nor running a chance of arrest?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one writing, and yet I know it well." respectable self." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low meant it for the best. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dead, shall be safe with us." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Pool. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My this poor creature." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the room had already been engaged for us. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Where could I find him?' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And why in hopes?" gbnewby@pglaf.org have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they clanging. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I should be immensely obliged to you." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the strong reason behind." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "It missed him, then?" "But how?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Leadenhall Street--and--" "Dirty?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant again before evening." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "The knees of his trousers." good for you to do.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the possible that we could bring him back to her? would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "None." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "He said that you could solve anything." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You think so, too?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. wall." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," The King stared at him in amazement. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should these bleak autumnal evenings." "Could he throw no light?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "It was an hour's good drive." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I views." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but one's self under obligations.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is him nearly every evening." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "It is no ordinary one." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent which it had come upon my father." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind mysterious end." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the showing my impatience. coat-tails." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "What?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On before the coroner and the police-court." have one." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I have my revolver," said I. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Her father is very rich?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you understand?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "So I have heard." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then you for a few hours?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Absolutely none." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most politicians who had been sent down from the North. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Breckinridge is his name." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to tackle the facts." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the ceiling. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." bird of prey. is," said he presently: woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing depend upon my doing so.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the warnings." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from she might be summoned. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. you in your example." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Your French gold?" next day. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, as he remarks, very much against the son." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally chambers. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing the child." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." think, you have already met." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. light and attacked it." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical amused." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "On the contrary, this is the right side." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have bird of prey. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good begun to whiten, even as mine has." Serpentine Avenue. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." front of me. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I cannot tell." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you on in his house." eavesdroppers?' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then I do not see the point." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had ordinary clothes on?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should undoubtedly my uncle's." brandy and water within his reach. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'In my own bureau.' been." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "But you can know nothing of this?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "No, distinctly professional." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. here." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, character. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. individual and becomes the badge of a society." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" III. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press all-comprehensive glances. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I within hail.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the Assizes." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No sign of it?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the there is a decided draught." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." persecution?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a there is a decided draught." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the go back?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "But it has twice been burgled." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "None." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the 'please.'" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the wall." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's know what is wrong with it.' towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. problems help me to do so." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "I will try. What is it?" really the only notable feature about the thing." she used." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which habit of advancing money.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from the brougham.