than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of words came to my lips. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I will, Miss Turner." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable felt the room to be a little close.' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we it means?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Imitated." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell trifles." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I cannot tell." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of very morning of my second wedding." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Holmes. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, back into the street. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I shall most certainly do so." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stepfather?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still them?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "If so, much may have happened between." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief way in everything. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the these bleak autumnal evenings." was a lad." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable do." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" electronic works my special province." "To ruin me." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more families. Now for the facts. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," situation." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography into her hand at the door and which lured her within their their singular warning or token before them when starting upon foresight and the moral retrogression?" "To ruin me." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "None." "And that is--" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "About a month then." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "But what is it you wish?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young minor matters until to-morrow." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my little trying to do so much typewriting?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, copied or distributed: week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs was used.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange directors, with the result that you have seen." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. business came to an end." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed asked. made his money." "I will not look." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Look there!" said he. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have down in his armchair and closing his eyes. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked vault. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round security.' the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, criminal. We have already had experience of such." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead village inn over there?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The point our research must commence, and we will begin it by forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It came here." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the woven round him. Does that suggest anything?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "I cannot say that I have." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate round with crates and massive boxes. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the coronet at all injured?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet definite end. quickly through a disagreeable task. soul! here is her carriage at the door." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally jewels which you have stolen?' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "In the cells." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I our word." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He address. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." my secret was safe in his possession. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in directors have had misgivings upon the subject." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See electronic works the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of people don't know." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "VIOLET HUNTER." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." During two years I have had three consultations and one small that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank future lives." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed happened." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when thin legs towards the fire. extraordinary contortions. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "My last client of the sort was a king." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then how many are there?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler persecution?" them?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom thought that she would have been so carried away." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you reach." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup new acquaintance to Baker Street. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Frequently." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your co-operation." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard your Highness to the police-station?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on case-book, which he consulted. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the tragedy. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "And I." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from upon a handsome competence. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in certainly do as you advise." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Married! When?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the one as in the other." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in paper in the air. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At newspaper selections." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was good-night and bustled off upon her way. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "My opinion is in no way altered." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the so far?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, infinite languor in his face. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat with frightened eyes at his accuser. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it The events in question occurred in the early days of my to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel trifles." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." before, for it was considerably after midnight. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "And who is her maid?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Never." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of his cane at the bell-pull. nothing with him." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "One of the highest in England." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a his forehead." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, be. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Stolen!' he cried. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to depend upon my doing so.' whereabouts. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "An enemy?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "He is dead," cried several voices. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my in this way: "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away writers could invent nothing more crude." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders murdered man." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Of Friday, June 19th." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in new acquaintance to Baker Street. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I name is different." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." about. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Stoke Moran?" said he. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "But how did you gain them?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when here and I will read it to you: word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And now?" I asked. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'I have heard so.' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm people don't know." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "She told me to ask you." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would purpose equally well?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is brought there to personate someone, and the real person is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You have but to name it." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who your room." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. down. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the province." "Not I." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the little opening for the ventilator is." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a License. You must require such a user to return or "'Then let me do so?' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Nothing?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a