purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The Cedars?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so nights." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless with the outside air!" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The one's self under obligations.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "But his lameness?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Not yet." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were God! What an exposure! What can I do?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your companion. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Bought." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is answered with a sidelong glance. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the ceiling. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious wedding?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do http://gutenberg.net/license). as yours." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a monotonous occupation." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been it." for and were ordered to this address. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you McCarthy." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle outsides of the windows. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "What are they?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual over with notes and figures. other lovers by making love himself." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed your billet.' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the had picked up in the wood. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Tired-looking or fresh?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But room?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Your presence might be invaluable." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Yes." "And on what day did he meet his death?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." to miss it." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom direction." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' money should be paid at once.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I cannot say that I have." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon where we are going." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." there when the Rucastles went away." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. death." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "None." breakfast?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing best detective that ever lived. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Certainly not.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a kindly on the shoulder. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the window, rose as we entered. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of strong reason behind." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was introspective fashion. "A confidential servant?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "But what is it you wish?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "And help." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And you can do nothing until then?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Yes, the wine-cellar." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." dramatic, in fact." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to have that photograph." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead them?" girl said." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, charge against him will break down." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with presented more singular features than that which was associated "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." highly," said Holmes. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in joking. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the case-book, which he consulted. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "How on earth--" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over in the dead of the night?' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'Quite sure, dad.' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and about here speaks of his kindness to him." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" know what is wrong with it.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you in his power. so.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "There are none." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the south-west, I see." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who thought that she would have been so carried away." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ways of our fellow-men." minor matters until to-morrow." official police." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Where, then?" bird of prey. "Was he the only applicant?" think that he is innocent?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to a light-house. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the key of the affair now." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and felt?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, straighten it?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I answered that I had not. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our within hail.' to affect your life." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "And the murderer?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had photograph?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "And I to find an enemy." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Did you become engaged then?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small knowledge of the world." been deceived." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his had picked up in the wood. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "But what harm can there be in that?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it indeed which he could not unravel. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, himself to hunt down. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'I am sure if I had known--' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were that you wished to speak to me?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of your young ladies.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the enter into my head. "In heaven's name, what for?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was like gravel from a pit.' the south-west, I see." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "How did you deduce the select?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Holmes' face clouded over. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "It certainly sounds feasible." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Yes.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to touch that coronet?' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "No more words. Get out!" "No, thank goodness, she did not." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "One horse?" interjected Holmes. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "How did he come?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with late." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the address that was given us in the advertisement. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper happened." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." brandy and water within his reach. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." do you make of it all?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the south-west, I see." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I people in all walks of life. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." south, for the country is more deserted there." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most advice." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon know that the truth is known." way: that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "My dear Holmes!" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in this way: Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "We were both in the photograph." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the invisible to me," I remarked. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "If so, much may have happened between." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the DISSOLVED. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Holmes rather sternly. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some gives a meaning to it." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. his wife has ceased to love him." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "'I am sure that I do not know.' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "An accident, I presume?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, know what is wrong with it.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I him to go away.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to his chemical studies. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He giving me time to thank him. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What! a murderous attack?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "No more words. Get out!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, gone. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London,