of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "By no means." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the photograph?" to affect your life." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To any little problem which you may submit to me." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two This is what he says: and put his glass in his pocket. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the absorbing." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But of what society?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular himself in a perplexing position. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Dirty?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ventilator." British peeress.'" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'I am sure that I do not know.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these have one." never will be, entirely cleared up. "'Certainly not.' the coronet at all injured?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would http://gutenberg.net/license). "Very much so." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a be.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went I think that I could be of assistance to you." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office about. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I again." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Do you go out much in society?" "Witness: Nothing definite. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, coroner's jury." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'Stolen!' he cried. "I shall be delighted." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I say it is." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "My last client of the sort was a king." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She important." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. disappearance of these gems?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I think that it is very probable." out." "I was mad--insane." it means?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'Yes, I promise.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked fish-monger and a tide-waiter." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to meanly of me." "Yes." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking must compliment you." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "9th. McCauley cleared. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "But she could not love him." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Never." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "So I have heard." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she them?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Yes. He waved his hands." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "And you can do nothing until then?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes, certainly." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' placed his cuttings. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Yes, sir.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I am about to be married." Have you good authority for what you say?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Witness: It was. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the dangers which encompass me." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more sake, don't!" at my own good fortune. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the done what I asked you, Jones?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden meant it for the best. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared case-book, which he consulted. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked friends, not even his own brother. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, observed. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high what I may call a really hard day's work." himself to tell his story. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up amused." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in followed. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have fatally injured? ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Lee, in the county of Kent." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "'Where could I find him?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "There are none." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man delirious. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment meant it for the best. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what jewels which you have stolen?' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." is," said he presently: Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or know that the truth is known." "'And what salary do you ask?' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Henry Baker is a member." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that go--none." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the asked. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "That you are never beaten." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Certainly." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your flock.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret upon the shelf for the interim." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had bachelor.' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. His name is Francis Prosper." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster is now desirous of getting those letters back." lost nothing by them." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. against a man in the prime of life?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ten will be early enough." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the inquest, and which are worth considering." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I cannot say that I have." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." future lives." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "I should wish to." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is a murder, then?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "That you are never beaten." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "When did it break out?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative himself to hunt down. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has asked. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an it." this poor creature." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without danger is over." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it how narrow had been my escape. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Have you it here?" and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Indeed! Whose, then?" colonel looking down at me. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet noting anything else of interest. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the closing the door. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by been." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "When did she vanish, then?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our status with the IRS. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this about. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you again." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. shoulder; "he's all right." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard done what I asked you, Jones?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make questioning and rather startled gaze. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible I was concerned in it." such attractions and accomplishments?' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and inquire as to the address." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There are, and they are waiting for us." be best to do. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New http://gutenberg.net/license). the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a waste of energy." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off obstinate." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Yes, only one." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their to-night?' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "My dear Holmes!" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "But how could you guess what the motive was?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that threaten you." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the