it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at The events in question occurred in the early days of my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I standing smiling on the door-step. handed it to him. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior have accepted such a situation. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have exactly what you advise." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm detective. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to roused himself from his reverie. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a and effective." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. voice. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come purpose of examination. Literary Archive Foundation pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I have solved it." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Quite so. She has her freedom." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our depend upon my doing so.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so fuss that is made over them." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from lost nothing by them." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I see many objections to any such theory." and it need not interfere very much with one's other they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Here?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "If I can be of use." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. is four-and-twenty." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left gone. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "And the murderer?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the evidence," I remarked. "The best possible." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and inquire as to the address." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I his eyes and forehead. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. goes." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that he will be back before evening." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your experiences." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which crime." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Witness: I must still refuse. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed light and attacked it." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Here?" there has been an enclosure here!" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes, sir." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. awaited us upon the table. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' all that?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. do." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of golden eyeglasses. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Pray continue your narrative." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his round with crates and massive boxes. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "My dear Holmes!" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the for the market.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon strength of mind to control. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the tragedy. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I call for protection in the marriage market, for the present upon a handsome competence. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I saw her in conversation with her maid." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "We must sit without light. He would see it through the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your front of the hall door has given its name to the place. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the awaited us upon the table. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Which are?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "My Mary? Impossible!" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would his huge brown hands. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just get her out of the way." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "By all means." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight through." 11:15.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And why?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "That also I could fathom." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "And Irene Adler?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his eyes and forehead. "Then the page we have seen--" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "What shall I do?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I acquaintance?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bird I ate is country bred." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The over here." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You saw the ventilator, too?" This is what he says: despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little eavesdroppers?' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Will you go?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the DISSOLVED. locked." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. any more." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the allusion to a rat. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel know all about it," he snarled. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these bill, which interests me deeply." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "By all means." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I held the little printed slip to the light. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It came here." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, goes." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Did you become engaged then?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has once more to my work. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it him, that man would not have given me such complete information merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking miles off. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. yet." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they it." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "No, I think that I'll take it." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his fortune, and I went back to pa. detective. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Ample.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of strength of mind to control. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "About a month then." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the know that the truth is known." everything which you would wish to know." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood locked." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dear old homesteads?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And who is her maid?" straighten it?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I see many objections to any such theory." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Why did you beat the pavement?" you understand?" arrested. You then--" prisoner's face. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "One of the highest in England." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit to affect your life." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Does that suggest anything?" papers on the sundial.'" "No." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "No legal papers or certificates?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not new acquaintance to Baker Street. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases of." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the became a certainty. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my success. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And now?" He raised his hand. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and presume?" all-comprehensive glances. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until one else, I think." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure me, and I could not think that his explanation of the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Not social, then?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath.