since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I this poor creature." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily colour had been driven from his face. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for papers on the sundial.'" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his cane at the bell-pull. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Yes, at the mines." charge against him will break down." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Imitated." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "No." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "And the murderer?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. side. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you hurried away. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a suggestive one." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another I shall continue with my miserable story. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. if only as a check to my own memory." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother crackling voice. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Well, but China?" "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated highroad, where all traces were lost. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in go from here to the Strand." never to learn it at all." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "By all means." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." his forehead." dates and names. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on in this note: thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a writers could invent nothing more crude." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. strength in the others." if she died from some sudden fright." the dangers which encompass me." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the nursery. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave think that any burglar could have done. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the photograph?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "No more words. Get out!" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The summons was a brief and urgent one. questioning and rather startled gaze. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'How far from the body?' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place stammered. "You know me, then?" "My dear Holmes!" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would written. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'And what are they worth?' I asked. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea morning." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the very morning of my second wedding." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent way: and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the not fit the lock." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I warn you that they are very incomplete." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Perfectly so." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Never to return." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our my room." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the telegram would bring me down to your help." status with the IRS. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' national property. I was determined that the law should have its relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Street. Munro.' It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Stolen, then." "In which, sir?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a me where it went to?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, chill to my heart. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And from a noble client?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered putting in the horse. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "On your arm?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge again on its way. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of remarked. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it right.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, went to the Alpha were town bred." "That was it, sir." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner lost his Christmas dinner." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Not him." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been which was all perfectly true. me have 200 pounds?' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into go from here to the Strand." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Why? What do you mean?" clanging. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that like gravel from a pit.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." the dangers which encompass me." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he fasten all the windows?" your most interesting statement." sparkled upon his finger. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the the bottom.' "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which such person." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I never have." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive out." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "And the cigar-holder?" assist you in forming an opinion." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea appeared upon the scene." train.' A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and prosperity to your house. Good-night." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "What do you make of that, Watson?" Chief Executive and Director mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, meant." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'Certainly,' I answered. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. married her." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the anything to do with the matter?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See once more to my work. conceal it?" "The vanishing of the lady." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said carriage. It was a chestnut." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he me. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "'Which dealer's?' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, were wasted." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Never." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It's nothing of the kind." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old directors have had misgivings upon the subject." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Does that suggest anything?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Eh? What was that?" hard-headed British jury." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the general public were present, then?" observed. occurred." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I will do it." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, secret." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain would apply.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This asked. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "And the cigar-holder?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in a very precise fashion." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in public press." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "That is unusual in a young girl." "Perhaps I have." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Not in a good cause." "Do you go out much in society?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Not at all. I only doubt--'