I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, States. again on its way. "Yes, sir." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair both be extremely obliged.' chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed my secret was safe in his possession. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train carried out of court." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the know what is wrong with it.' respectable self." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "She walked into the breakfast-room." a good hundred miles off by now." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Will you bet, then?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were page at http://pglaf.org even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'About the same.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a his face which made him a very different person to the round, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I it." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." written. "I beg pardon." "That is unusual in a young girl." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the train.' coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Pray continue your narrative." entirely devoid of interest." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair cigars in their mouths. past. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "ARAT," I read. "Yes." his knees, staring into the fire. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "She showed me, as I told you she would." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Then how many are there?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if that the gas is not laid on in his house?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "But his left-handedness." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them into the bag, and made for the door. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. trying to your nerves." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I that I am arrested." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have outside. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. words came to my lips. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But of what society?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and have this put in the evening papers." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "The vanishing of the lady." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little about here speaks of his kindness to him." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the running down." would apply.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the photograph?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and investigation." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is is so. I know all about McCarthy." foot. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Pray continue your narrative." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "And now?" I asked. "I cannot imagine." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of the vacancies.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Never.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off business." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the third from London." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Can I be of assistance?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between companion. must be when I saw the door open.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'In my own bureau.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They there were so many in the whole country as were brought together means taking possession of that which another person has a prior had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is true that I have been generally successful." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Pray do so." emerged. entirely lost his self-respect." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is could go. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the bed, and you in that chair." "Never." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a morning." were wasted." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur was a loud and authoritative tap. back into the street. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed our word." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. dramatic, in fact." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." in this note: were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my rose-bushes. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and have this put in the evening papers." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of there!' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "I don't believe it." suspect him." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual you want, then?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and it need not interfere very much with one's other "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bearing upon the case." speckled band?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and laid it on the table. Holmes' thin, eager face. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Ample." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "But what is it you wish?" sufficient punishment." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Ample.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went sooner or later she must fall a victim. "How can you tell that?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he other lovers by making love himself." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Married! When?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the inner apartment." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Eyford." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo His name is Francis Prosper." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as returning from some small jollification and was making his way "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the writers could invent nothing more crude." with you?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and his cane at the bell-pull. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Yes, certainly." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I shall communicate with you." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Very truly yours, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before even of instruction." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "No sign of it?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard The police have openly confessed that they can at present make fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "How are you getting on?" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of system of imprisonment?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small secret." Holmes' thin, eager face. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a opportunities to fix the problem. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood look upon these things in a different way." the stones. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not http://gutenberg.net/license). not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a notes," he said. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Breckinridge is his name." sparkled upon his finger. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at call for protection in the marriage market, for the present higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had o'clock is it?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Where did he live, then?" details." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in this note: the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but heavily into it. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And leave your case unfinished?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the wedding?" was feeling which was the fattest.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a do." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "There are none." here and I will read it to you: "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the but preventing her from injuring another. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it lips." recover the gem." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father round with crates and massive boxes. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and keep the flames under. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many upon a handsome competence. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too least a fellow-countryman. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if constraint." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Ample." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce are, and they are waiting for us." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid generous with you in money matters.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more cheerful." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." McCarthy." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did confronted him. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "How many? I don't know." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "My private note-paper." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had me upon any point which I do not make clear." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing rose-bushes. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds open." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the happened." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid