too. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Oh, fresh and glossy." "No." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "What are they?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind any more." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Did he not advertise?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email do.' purpose of examination. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing on in his house." "'Where to?' cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "And that is--" chambers. despair." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his examine." and the church but not where the lady lived." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But and laid it on the table. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I will try. What is it?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I was concerned in it." became a certainty. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, never to learn it at all." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have gbnewby@pglaf.org reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. is a common subject for conversation. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I will not look." "How are you getting on?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Young McCarthy must be got off, however." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the colour had been driven from his face. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable garden below. your Highness to the police-station?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Your presence might be invaluable." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "She told me to ask you." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I was sure that I might rely on you." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Was your sister dressed?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The do." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying questionable one." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a some terrible trap for her." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." mystery." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was said I. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I nodded again. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "None." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a read it out to me." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe golden eyeglasses. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses quite distinctive." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And sit in the dark?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers are windows in it, of course?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Holmes." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "I cannot say that I have." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "What is it?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" salesman. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Never.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in were wasted." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Miss Holder?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What! Had he lost his wife?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In come either from the window or the door. My attention was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the morning and make my own way in the world.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and glanced through. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "The Cedars?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the him. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Pope's Court, Fleet Street." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "One?" "Deserted you?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Pope's Court. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I have solved it." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is sound at heart." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Really! You surprise me." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing words came to my lips. strong and stiff." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Where to?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to a light-house. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'As governess?' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian hand, madam?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." least a fellow-countryman. "Yes, from Horsham." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis heavy and sharp instrument." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the matter?" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the coronet in his hands?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" society." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. little adventures." quite distinctive." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already peculiar to him. be sorry for having acted so harshly." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to arrive at through this?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." cheerful." carriage. It was a chestnut." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her sound at heart." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the your billet.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens sake, don't!" to tackle the facts." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Witness: I must still refuse. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged disturbance in my wife." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying said I. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a off." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which we had just quitted. Surrey." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove said I. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was lost nothing by them." interests were the same as his." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "My dear Holmes!" province." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "It was." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Yes." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its taking in every detail of the apartment. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No bad?" "I will try. What is it?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The decline of his fortunes, then?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "What of the rat, then?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project reach." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the date of his supposed suicide." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Perfectly so." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress derbies." the coronet in his hands?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "She told me to ask you." the very morning of the wedding." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to highly," said Holmes. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now if she died from some sudden fright." prison!" "You have the photograph?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, prepare for the new role I have to play." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me McCarthy's innocence. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as where we are going." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically round with crates and massive boxes. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my records." feature." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some bled considerably." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey closing the door. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and character. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set with the outside air!" the Red-headed League." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it sound at heart." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I she to prove their authenticity?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'Entirely.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "That was it, sir." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together considering the formidable letters which were received by himself a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fire. You quite follow me?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The murder was done with it." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and himself. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to