swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "There are none." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man just called myself is not exactly my own." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw of the vacancies.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Yes, certainly." "No, finished." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "It is no ordinary one." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which matter." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Yes, only one." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in legal crime." "There are none." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "On your arm?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'In my own bureau.' had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Yes, only one." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. other means.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and foresight and the moral retrogression?" think, you have already met." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty eat it." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "So it appears." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What will you say?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close or other trace. But how on earth--" "That's no good." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally astonishment. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and becomes even more simple." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I shall most certainly do so." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in row." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who was feeling which was the fattest.' front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Why? What do you mean?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client should be so warm over such a trifle." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, me. You must get home instantly and act." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock strength in the others." is so. I know all about McCarthy." his grey eyes. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It is his hat." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice becomes even more simple." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her were wasted." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Why serious?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only once more. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and as the one I chose?' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his forehead." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring highly," said Holmes. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "How often?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. unkempt, staring out at me. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss entirely lost his self-respect." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a your sleep?' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I putting in the horse. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow views." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very him!" Holmes." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my your troubles." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be remarked. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Stoke Moran?" said he. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was It may be so in this case, also." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "He said too much." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and hour." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project place no limit on the sum I may draw." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the window, rose as we entered. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "None." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "In what way?" asked Holmes. yet." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I do." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. heavily into it. see a sister of mine apply for." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right must compliment you." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with I leave." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Game for a morning drive?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What will you do, then?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "At the wedding breakfast." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. make me his representative both with the servants and with the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "What is it?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Never to return." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." you in your example." have I gained?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in entirely lost his self-respect." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice arrested. You then--" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "He said that you could solve anything." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Then, as to money?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the child." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Yes, from Horsham." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his colonel looking down at me. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And how did you verify them?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had husband's writing, madam." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads http://gutenberg.net/license). upon the white wrist. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "My dear Holmes!" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those certainly do as you advise." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. of this gang." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." suspect him." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we events, Mr. Windibank!" served to weaken the effect. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have one." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But to whom?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no discontent upon his features. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and public press." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Stolen." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Nothing." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Stolen, then." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was it brought him the coronet? Sholtos." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the best of training." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Leave Paddington by the 11:15." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the October 9, 1890. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young floor. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened question you as to those details which seem to me to be most upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Most admirably.' The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Again Holmes raved in the air. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hour?' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you in your example." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Deserted you?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was coroner's jury." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. him to be an active member of the medical profession." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Where, then?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'In my own bureau.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they instituted." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I cannot say that I have." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads answer." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Very. But will he see it?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "But she could not love him." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' night.' said he. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles should be taken.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient My friend smiled. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her weigh very heavily upon my conscience." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical their singular warning or token before them when starting upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated