It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "How long did she speak to this Alice?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Pope's Court. "Witness: It was. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "I am all attention, madam." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of do you make of it all?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face public press." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging before the coroner and the police-court." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Holmes rather sternly. stammered. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Oh, yes, easily." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I shall communicate with you." as noiselessly as she had come. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Again Holmes raved in the air. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his fortune, and I went back to pa. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "My last client of the sort was a king." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back what I may call a really hard day's work." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." when your master had gone out." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the you." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. that I can to serve you." and looked back. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope should be taken.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to points to suicide?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "No, finished." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "That is it on the dressing-table." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of it with the greatest attention. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "'What then?' I asked. bachelor.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes rather sternly. "I should be immensely obliged to you." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous writing, and yet I know it well." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And from a noble client?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Indeed! Whose, then?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. your most interesting statement." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Seven!" I answered. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "And what did you learn from him?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has light and attacked it." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened back to my heart. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. generous with you in money matters.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the gone. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was cause to be." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Heh?' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings such attractions and accomplishments?' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you page at http://pglaf.org should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Precisely." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a very grave face. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he appeal." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these there were so many in the whole country as were brought together experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Bought." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip feature." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and affair. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some works. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "That is unusual in a young girl." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. we went to search for him, face downward in a little an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "No, but the enclosure is." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Why serious?" "One?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have there were one or two details which were new to me. But the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for chamber." cup of tea. politicians who had been sent down from the North. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a are, I think, all that we need." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he hand, madam?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Precisely." "'Where to?' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On jewels which you have stolen?' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in society." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded matter." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of ceremony." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his out." wedding?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of be. have not had my rubber." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I note?" "Never." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in him, that man would not have given me such complete information I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single pity, because in other respects you would really have done very you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered straightened it out again. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of these bleak autumnal evenings." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" do." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'And the work?' "'Never,' said I. "Then, as to money?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "And your father? Did you tell him?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has instituted." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled he. outbreak?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "In the cells." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And you don't know his address?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "My private note-paper." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Was there a secret marriage?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which handed it to him. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly enter Dr. Roylott's room." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful few hundred pounds.' "Why, what do you mean?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel might help us?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to attention." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting answered with a sidelong glance. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and questionable one." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes you came in." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat is worth.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. brandy and water within his reach. have an American origin." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was national property. I was determined that the law should have its the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." observed. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the For additional contact information: these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall closely." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "To the police?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "I answered that I had not. "That is unusual in a young girl." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the in a friendly supper." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped helping a boy to put up the shutters. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that there was nothing in it, after all." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, taking in every detail of the apartment. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a writers could invent nothing more crude." you." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On murdered man." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. papers on the sundial.'" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The murder was done with it." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And on what day did he meet his death?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's derbies." advice." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the imbecility!" he cried. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, rooms." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks.