were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland singular points about the case. What did the police think of the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I business came to an end." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the begun to whiten, even as mine has." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon address. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make that society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in returning from some small jollification and was making his way Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'In my own bureau.' "To the police?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Pray do so." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous good-night and bustled off upon her way. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible affection." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Yes, but only for you and me." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither touch that coronet?' "What?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and have this put in the evening papers." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Why? What do you mean?" "It is possible." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well now. It seems that there had been some informality about their this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a 'please.'" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps here and I will read it to you: broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Certainly." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to-morrow." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." in him." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'I have heard so.' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. beyond words. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Not yet." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be little adventures." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the nursery. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Your sister is dead, then?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, shoulder. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, affair. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us when your master had gone out." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but appointment with me for six o'clock?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door desk. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was really the only notable feature about the thing." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." night.' said he. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Was she in good spirits?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Yes, from Horsham." "That is not always so easy." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch spark where all is dark to me." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" forehead. "What, then, did Peterson do?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to annoyance, but no jest. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an conversation I have gathered that they have been married about stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Then, how do you know?" if I call to-morrow?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's occurred." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "You think that he is dead?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Oh, no.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, address. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think views." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This in my life." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of McCarthy's innocence. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And why?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he you." should be so warm over such a trifle." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, your room." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Quite sure, dad.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Holmes rather sternly. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch people don't know." "Where is it, then?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "How did you trace it, then?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a him to go away.' like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What then?" answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is instituted." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." dead, shall be safe with us." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Never,' said I. disappearance of the bride.'" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Holmes' room. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Eyford." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great my friend's incisive reasoning. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. sound at heart." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just sit on the left-hand side of the driver." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "How about poison?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so during that time.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the these bleak autumnal evenings." "No?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fasten all the windows?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know locked." it were putty." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And the cigar-holder?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Watson," he said cordially. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it good-night and bustled off upon her way. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance too. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" if she died from some sudden fright." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and I shall be with you presently." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. he died? with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Sutherland. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Certainly." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. already been minutely examined." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several think, you have already met." "Really! You surprise me." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I have my revolver," said I. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, get the tickets." "And that is--" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems may never be exposed to such a temptation." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are light and attacked it." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the coroner come to?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Then he might have called to you?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he dramatic, in fact." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. tension within him. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this mystery!" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what I took the paper from him and read as follows: pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It leave you to your papers for a little." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Her father is very rich?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our nights." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to than to us. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "That you are never beaten." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Was there a secret marriage?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Precisely so. But how--" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." imbecility!" he cried. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I shall most certainly do so." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." works. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was been able to understand it, in a very few words. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Which surely he restored to their owner?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this stood on the top of it. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door