company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Not particularly." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a little more before I quite committed myself. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side weighed down with some great anxiety. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I beg pardon." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "They are typewritten," I remarked. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to III. "Yesterday." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Here?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "That was it, sir." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk acted in my house last night?" appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be details." "Is he quiet?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I cannot as yet see any connection." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Why serious?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Frequently." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "None." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He straightened it out again. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up friend's singular character. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the very morning of the wedding." there is a decided draught." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have something of him before." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will paper in the air. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'Is 4 pounds a week.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with down. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk was a perfect sample of the class. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house bedroom door." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Nearly eleven." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Then, how do you know?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Well?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' situation." might have a private word with us. "That also I could fathom." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. strong and stiff." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But his lameness?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the house with me." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut matter over." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular key of the affair now." "You were travelling in the States?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Nothing?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I will try. What is it?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a forbidden door. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," records." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "And now?" He raised his hand. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "The landlord of the Alpha." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'I shall certainly be there.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I enter into my head. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all she has been waylaid. There has been no result." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "How did he come?" man. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley arrangements." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Really! You surprise me." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I which was all perfectly true. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you in yours." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had could go. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman thin legs towards the fire. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. stammered. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other you came in." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Precisely." signal between you and your father? disappearance of the bride.'" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." murdered man." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the take the flies, but not before." Holmes. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Where, indeed?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime should be so warm over such a trifle." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the window when the police appeared." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the too. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both had picked up in the wood. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, she used." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of power." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his wife has ceased to love him." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And I say east," said my patient. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Pray do so." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this touch that coronet?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Farm upon the left." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic think that any burglar could have done. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "That is possible." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and late!' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon the shelf for the interim." Eyford at 11:15.' 11:15.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. himself to tell his story. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "And your mother is alive?" "'What, the red-headed man?' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "His face fell immediately. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "None." "Yes, at the mines." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door not, dad?" she asked. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about leave you to your papers for a little." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Here?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Where to?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to very morning of my second wedding." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Precisely." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "An enemy?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and no precautions can guard against." himself to tell his story. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so had picked up in the wood. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a should be taken.' "Yes." wedding?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bird I ate is country bred." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Where, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "My own seal." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "I came to find a friend." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly at once, for I have only half an hour." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several British peeress.'" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing read over the extraordinary announcement. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I say it is." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite arrested. You then--" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of receipt of the work. voice, changing her seat as requested. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view to me. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself drawing your inferences." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "The decline of his fortunes, then?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Dark enough and sinister enough." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke as he remarks, very much against the son." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building footfalls from the street. shoulder. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not if I call to-morrow?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age present." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the south-west, I see." Stoke Moran." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, prepare for the new role I have to play." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door rat could hardly pass through." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, death." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other attention." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Witness: I must still refuse. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "My photograph." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I am sure." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking of campaign. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the case-book, which he consulted. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "What! You do not mean bodies?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Not yet." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been whole matter to your consideration." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should as the one I chose?' not fit the lock." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the driver. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the running down." "How did he come?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "'Where could I find him?' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the answer." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low is," said he presently: child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And I."