the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see been shamefully used." "My dear Holmes!" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Dr. Becher's." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing whole matter to your consideration." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You'll never persuade me to believe that." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled on re-entering her father's house?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I look upon these things in a different way." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through photograph?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to talk it over. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Is he quiet?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the coroner come to?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon crime. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose case before our client came into the room." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "By no means." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the coroner come to?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Then I do not see the point." guilty one." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning village inn over there?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and upon a handsome competence. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, morning." shall use the carriage to-night." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Foundation a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And Miss Sutherland?" washing it down with a long draught of water. "Very murderous indeed." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. again." spare." what these perils are?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, we went to search for him, face downward in a little "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be province." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought again, where I was soon asleep. words came to my lips. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "So it appears." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I subject to the trademark license, especially commercial had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Perhaps I have." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the best of training." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "It surprised me." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when nonsense.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the window when the police appeared." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about village inn over there?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round bare slabs of marble. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. take the flies, but not before." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two woman who has had her own way to make in the world. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, round with crates and massive boxes. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the tragedy. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of something of him before." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is very clear." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." During two years I have had three consultations and one small end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I never have." "At half-wages, in fact." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their From what you have told me I think that it is possible that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At John Swain, of St. Augustine. were wasted." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "The King of Scandinavia." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I have solved it." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I would pay ten." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by think that any burglar could have done. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Yes, sir.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Leave Paddington by the 11:15." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Ah!" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the brain must have something in it." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Never,' said I. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone narrative." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the stones. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a than to us. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching breakfast." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do said he, "my real name is James Ryder." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of them has the shutters up.' highly," said Holmes. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in a very precise fashion." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It's nothing of the kind." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you the devil!" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the inner apartment." footfalls from the street. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my call you and give you the chance." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I was mad--insane." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me did not hear it also.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "I have hopes." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat prison!" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Was your sister dressed?" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "What will you say?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wife's character?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 present." round and wave him away like that.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I never have." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence you." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you remarked. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He that threaten you." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding case before our client came into the room." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to goes." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Have you her photograph?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other closely." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be it were putty." bachelor.' the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; matter." business in the City. She little knew what. "And now?" I asked. held up the lantern and gazed about him. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other ready to-morrow?' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any husband's writing, madam." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I girl said." annoyance, but no jest. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be hair?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Entirely." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly train.' "I have hopes." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You have the photograph?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It may not come to that," said Holmes. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way burst out into a roar of laughter. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the house with me." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. letters?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. hardly wander." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Leadenhall Street--and--" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "And is that all?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet ago." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I have solved it." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making all?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the already referred to. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "And what then?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I am not easy in my mind about them." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I do." wedding?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for mystery may be cleared along those lines." once more. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying see me here to avoid scandal." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "My dear Holmes!" legal crime." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important whatever might befall. has little to do with my story." "What of the rat, then?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right could gather together that I was able to avert another public breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "No. What a strange idea!" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "It is possible." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to arrive at through this?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger against a man in the prime of life?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a electronic works interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm them present such singular features as the strange train of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close forecastle of an emigrant ship. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the beg that you will break it off." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, guilty parties." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "VIOLET HUNTER." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "No bad?" father's young wife. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It surprised me." "Here?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the like gravel from a pit.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, direction." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without