"Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I should like to see him very much." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon question," said Holmes, smiling. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "It is his hat." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did neither fascinating nor artistic." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Holmes, the busybody!" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not I leave." really the only notable feature about the thing." "I am all attention, madam." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "By no means." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, was already answered. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; is," said he presently: that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between carriage. It was a chestnut." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'And the work?' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "So I heard. You have him here?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." upon the white wrist. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to a room. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and strode off upon his way. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again grasp, he hurried from the room. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in the hope of finding them." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' coroner's jury." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I guessed as much." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to emerged. your most interesting statement." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of campaign. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could with frightened eyes at his accuser. skylight. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! hurried away. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to friend's singular character. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Yes, that is the Crown." http://gutenberg.net/license). and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Never.' in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Why, what do you mean?" despaired of." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the tragedy. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it me. You must get home instantly and act." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more matter." was not a bird to be seen there. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. prepare for the new role I have to play." "I should be immensely obliged to you." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when foot. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And cost them two and thirty pounds." if only as a check to my own memory." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." said I. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you with the outside air!" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign a very grave face. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "May I see it?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." people don't know." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as one of the states of the Union." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the acquaintance?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, child?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of should be taken.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Very truly yours, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of lamp in his hand. think that he is innocent?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in to you." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Was there a secret marriage?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, purpose equally well?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." strength." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Very much so." "My Mary? Impossible!" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully instituted." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Then I shall certainly come." paper in the air. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "How can you tell that?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. all?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. occurred." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. fatally injured? "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fire. You quite follow me?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some comes from the middle window." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I have seen the police." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "So I heard. You have him here?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant in his power. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "At the wedding breakfast." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You were travelling in the States?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, promised to bring home. open." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Where, then, is my wife?" "I answered that I had not. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "But how will you look?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "One?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution served to weaken the effect. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'And what salary do you ask?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the be best to do. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George for securing the situation." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "No, I am descending." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "What?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, long narrative. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers pierced for earrings?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "At half-wages, in fact." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a letters?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in such person." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to lost nothing by them." present." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss to some other building. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. 'please.'" highroad, where all traces were lost. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full success. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, said I. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and locked. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Yesterday." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his that he will be back before evening." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for problems help me to do so." views." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I people don't know." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own colour had been driven from his face. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, weary and pale-looking. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. been deceived." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are him." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination companion imperturbably. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a my room." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "And who is her maid?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Yes, but only for you and me." "I am following you closely," I answered. Sutherland. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the King without delay." letters?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the are, I think, all that we need." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "None." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Yes, but only for you and me." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture envelope. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist useful material for showing traces. The double line a little conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an