the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I was concerned in it." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Very truly yours, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "I should wish to." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and put his glass in his pocket. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It is half-past ten now." entirely devoid of interest." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that made him keep the appointment." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I fear not." foot. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "But she could not love him." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I guessed as much." too. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I better grown goose." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking acquaintance?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and stalked out of the room. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a introspective fashion. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the armchair which I pushed forward for him. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would been deceived." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my this man was intellectual?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo call it cruel." emerged. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But his left-handedness." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing affair. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of Fenchurch Street." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." the child." again on its way. system of imprisonment?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Where, then?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Witness: It was. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Oh, no.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite shag which I had seen upon the previous night. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, is four-and-twenty." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Yes, it was twisted." read over the extraordinary announcement. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "It surprised me." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Certainly not.' gives a meaning to it." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in remarked. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully your Highness to the police-station?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police threw himself down with his face to the pillow. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." them present such singular features as the strange train of many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe cause to be." later, upon the night of May 2nd." the general public were present, then?" "He said too much." there in twenty minutes." handed it to him. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "10th. John Swain cleared. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "My Mary? Impossible!" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I would give my fortune to have them back." your own bird, so if you wish--" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Nearly eleven." "No legal papers or certificates?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Absolutely none." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its o'clock is it?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case dramatic, in fact." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Very murderous indeed." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "He slept on the premises." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which works. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "But who is he?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Then you may be so with me." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Of Friday, June 19th." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is no ordinary one." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I approached. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what go--none." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Pope's Court. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I will do it." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt it." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved there were so many in the whole country as were brought together strange features which were associated with the two crimes which our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. away to you." national property. I was determined that the law should have its and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had there." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to was already answered. nice household for a young lady." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for begun to whiten, even as mine has." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Who by?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, there is a decided draught." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "And Irene Adler?" overpowering excitement and concern. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." father's place of business?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in his power. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the King without delay." foresight and the moral retrogression?" enter into my head. ventilator." "Whose house is it?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through James Windibank. Voilà tout!" when your master had gone out." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less because she had spent so short a time in this country that she master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Then I am your man." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you investigation." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His that Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his do.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure is four-and-twenty." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "But she will refuse." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wedding?" "'And the work?' "Was your sister dressed?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must than was visible to me." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness this as likely?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have man. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me. You must get home instantly and act." obstinate." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "'You cannot say what it was?' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to a light-house. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' formed some opinion?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Pray be precise as to details," said he. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a go from here to the Strand." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to existence." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "And how did you verify them?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided it." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I discontent upon his features. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled exactly what you advise." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Not social, then?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Can I be of assistance?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it bachelor.' "'And the work?' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sentimental considerations in the background which would induce though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' suddenly upon us." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my himself in a perplexing position. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most begin with, and I had not got mine yet." reach." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I have a cab outside." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears laugh and put his lips to my ear. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I London for the present?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But she could not love him." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fear." "You have but to name it." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to miss it." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in young Openshaw's." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should in my life." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love before, for it was considerably after midnight. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our washing it down with a long draught of water. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. The King stared at him in amazement. within hail.' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a side. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in unprecedented a position." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." way in." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both third from London." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Yes." "You horrify me!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me take the flies, but not before." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then I do not see the point." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she