himself. that he will be back before evening." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "When did she vanish, then?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "It is a murder, then?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Tired-looking or fresh?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of stalked out of the room. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town room?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT thought that she would have been so carried away." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Mary, has deserted me." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. washing it down with a long draught of water. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent said he, "my real name is James Ryder." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But you can know nothing of this?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "We have tried and failed." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that written. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "No. His orders were to stay in the house." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back me. You must get home instantly and act." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such quick march!" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which should have the effect of calling the attention of the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "That you are never beaten." salesman. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You did not overhear what they said?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those system of imprisonment?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the very morning of the wedding." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "The decline of his fortunes, then?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Why? What do you mean?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." seem to you to be relevant or not." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Pray do so." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was begun to whiten, even as mine has." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie so far?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that problems help me to do so." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "When did she vanish, then?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; leaning back in his chair. me. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I electronic works passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated eavesdroppers?' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." coat-tails." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the my friend's incisive reasoning. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar have established a very serious case against the son of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I 11:15.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might characteristics, but those are the more obvious." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do opportunities to fix the problem. someone who had been in Australia." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and a shock of very red hair. present." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "That is easily got." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to his chemical studies. in this way: "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is already been minutely examined." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fasten all the windows?" do you make of it all?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Perfectly so." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "We were both in the photograph." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "What are they?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Proceed, then." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sofa. This way, please!" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself The events in question occurred in the early days of my nonsense.' and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage with some details as to your case." McCarthy." delighted to hear it," he said. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel heavy and sharp instrument." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." have had none more fantastic than this." gone before you can get him to hospital." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and on in his house." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the loss of it. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the roots. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I should like to see him very much." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Pray do so." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of shall not find me ungrateful." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not me what he had done with the three missing stones. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and there is a decided draught." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Will you bet, then?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Your sister is dead, then?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair spare." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I entirely lost his self-respect." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a that he has suffered." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried which are rolled in Rotterdam." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. suspect him." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore British peeress.'" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I matters immensely." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my furiously. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your plantation.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go will take you up to see the machine.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect little trying to do so much typewriting?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Lee, in the county of Kent." writer." place of silver." asked with his eyes open. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Well." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "In what way?" asked Holmes. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange man. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of one's self under obligations.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' upon a handsome competence. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in one or two places in England?' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a happened." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "'And what salary do you ask?' window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room said I. guilty one." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. derbies." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I easy-going way." look dissatisfied." other, as fresh and trim as possible. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'How far from the body?' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was never to learn it at all." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "No, finished." Lee, in the county of Kent." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some easy-going way." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Your French gold?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious already been minutely examined." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Yes." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that villagers almost as much as their master. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into again before evening." http://www.gutenberg.net "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to some other building. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Perhaps I have." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "That is not always so easy." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'Certainly not. But why?' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you me upon any point which I do not make clear." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing present strange and interesting features that it is no easy compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It came here." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington joking. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches bachelor.' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I am to be neutral?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "In answer to an advertisement." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in