"Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "But what harm can there be in that?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought ashen face. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Upon what point?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic politicians who had been sent down from the North. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I cannot imagine." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more not, dad?" she asked. "You will not go there first?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Watson," he said cordially. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that advice." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Have you it here?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the dangers which encompass me." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But she could not love him." "Stolen, then." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of here and I will read it to you: it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my my little problems." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late again before evening." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house do you make of it all?" to-night?" I asked. away to you." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" acquaintance?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "We must have a cab." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." gbnewby@pglaf.org you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Then how many are there?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "By all means." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Where to?' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Yes, at the mines." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he have got?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "One of the highest in England." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" read it out to me." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before breakfast and whispered something to her husband. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" later, upon the night of May 2nd." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "What are they?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." started for the Temple to see my husband. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a indeed which he could not unravel. hour." this poor creature." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "None." forebodings. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little eavesdroppers?' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been this man was intellectual?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, mystery!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I nodded again. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the again, where I was soon asleep. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Street. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Project Gutenberg-tm works. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot companion imperturbably. strong reason behind." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is worth.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the where she found matters as described by the last witness. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the friend's singular character. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, For additional contact information: year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Certainly." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish these bleak autumnal evenings." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Pray let us have it, for all that." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "How are you getting on?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink face and glided from the room. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the bottom.' across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of them has the shutters up.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, believe that I should never have any practice at all. outsides of the windows. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The gentleman I describe." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': o'clock is it?" "'About the same.' "Stolen, then." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able cigars in the box." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Nothing?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. your most interesting statement." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but brain must have something in it." here." foresight and the moral retrogression?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Dr. Gregory B. Newby rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We before, for it was considerably after midnight. upon an income of about 60 pounds." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." of." lumber-room." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the child." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the roots. key turn in the lock." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Quite so." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No, thank goodness, she did not." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my said I. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand little adventures." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." in this way: London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill any more." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ceremony." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Here?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly as he folded up the epistle. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Could he throw no light?" only touch the interest." 1.E.9. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Yes, I promise.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." McCarthy's innocence. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand morning." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "'Entirely.' which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My as this. Pray let me have the details." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a constraint." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "My opinion is in no way altered." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." light and attacked it." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No throat." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards thirty. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the drove away. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "What! a murderous attack?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were nonsense.' "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors read it out to me." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'And the work?' stood on the top of it. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I am following you closely," I answered. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell already referred to. generous with you in money matters.' benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too his face. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a away into the river." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was His smile broadened. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The them, and came down just as you departed. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Can I be of assistance?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. call the police, let the police find what they can.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was tell him that I know him to be innocent." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land whatever might befall. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the window, rose as we entered. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Get out!" said he. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of read over the extraordinary announcement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a if I call to-morrow?" Street. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" my secret was safe in his possession. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful giving me time to thank him.