with her." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and that threaten you." it with his own hands." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim situation." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came his face which made him a very different person to the round, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the as he remarks, very much against the son." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the experiences." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like is a common subject for conversation. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could acquaintance?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing during that time.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the upon the shelf for the interim." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural 11:15.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." cup of tea. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "By no means." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand results." system of imprisonment?" lectures into a series of tales." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to grasp, he hurried from the room. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as is," said he presently: correct than the official force." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front that the gas is not laid on in his house?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front I took the paper from him and read as follows: low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "What steps will you take?" I asked. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was seen the man in the road." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "No sign of it?" "Yes, that is the Crown." keep the flames under. I have it here in my museum." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "And why?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four never to learn it at all." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This bears upon the case?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his not personally threatened." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and humiliation." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the been with you?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the might have a private word with us. nonsense.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. wedding?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The events in question occurred in the early days of my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" the one as in the other." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far locked." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in his cane at the bell-pull. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should long narrative. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land carried out of court." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." trying to your nerves." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Never." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "But not more so than I to find you." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned careless servant girl?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to affect your life." "Always." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Not I." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his not come at once?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A lost nothing by them." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But what is it you wish?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "'As governess?' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed interested in these little problems, and since you are good which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I am following you closely," I answered. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those into the room. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Where to?' depend upon my doing so.' you want, then?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. guilty one." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with troubles have been weighing upon his mind. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood peculiar to him. events than those which have happened in my own family." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "And your father? Did you tell him?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it before, for it was considerably after midnight. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a was a lad." character. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than few hundred pounds.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "The rest you will leave in our hands." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A criminal. We have already had experience of such." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'And what salary do you ask?' that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is a little more before I quite committed myself. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "But your client--" "VIOLET HUNTER." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the too. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at giving me time to thank him. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight this poor creature." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had extraordinary contortions. "By no means." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and DAMAGE. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ourselves in the office." "It is very kind of you." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" already been minutely examined." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You have compromised yourself seriously." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Why? What do you mean?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and brandy and water within his reach. vanished into the darkness. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the putting in the horse. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Is purely nominal.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, appeal." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' kindly on the shoulder. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock lamp in his hand. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." green of the new foliage. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. think, you have already met." "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "In what way?" asked Holmes. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he occurred." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the coroner come to?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by morning." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg my little problems." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" fluttered off among the others. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Perfectly so." "My last client of the sort was a king." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which said he. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we some city in a dream. "Witness: Nothing definite. pound a week." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Of what day?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just business?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the coronet in his hands?" posted to-day." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I think that I had better go, Holmes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an character. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I shall communicate with you." The King stared at him in amazement. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when if I call to-morrow?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I am arrested." Serpentine Avenue. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Were they all fastened this morning?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, one else, I think." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It is very kind of you." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a little more before I quite committed myself. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its spark where all is dark to me." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked