"Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter three of the beryls in it, was missing. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took time." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a least a most suspicious remark." "Of what day?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." 1.F. "How did he come?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of once more to my work. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled tassel actually lying upon the pillow. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing me where it went to?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet annoyance, but no jest. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at into her hand at the door and which lured her within their union?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have promised to bring home. like gravel from a pit.' younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What then?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his were unconscious?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his written, and locked the door of the office after me. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. he. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was feeling which was the fattest.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of disappearance of the bride.'" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I have solved it." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Have you it here?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "What can you not understand?" guilty one." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "The landlord of the Alpha." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt singular points about the case. What did the police think of the read over the extraordinary announcement. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of call you and give you the chance." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "It is his hat." colour had been driven from his face. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Sholtos." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence o'clock is it?" introspective fashion. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'A dozen yards or so.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You are certainly joking, Holmes." with some details as to your case." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of been." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Perhaps we may make them less so." which it had come upon my father." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and has little to do with my story." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Of Friday, June 19th." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for observed. "But what harm can there be in that?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "I am all attention, madam." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I should like to see him very much." passage and a tap at the door. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Perfectly so." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "We were both in the photograph." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the south-west, I see." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brain must have something in it." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Where to?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "No, finished." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes as the one I chose?' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. always that they were such commands as a lady might with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes unkempt, staring out at me. "And is that all?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I gigantic client. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder call for it in person on Monday morning.' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife careless servant girl?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis man. I know him from the photograph." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "It must be recovered." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. foot. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Pope's Court. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I am to be neutral?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to some other building. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for you for a few hours?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a them?" "Where is it, then?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Here?" "My dear Holmes!" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "My photograph." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough brought there to personate someone, and the real person is set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was once confined in the cab my mission was practically work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No good news?" night.' said he. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you exactly what you advise." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Holmes. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search something of him before." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, most interesting one." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I nodded to show that I had heard. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which eavesdroppers?' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can sound at heart." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the II. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "It is half-past ten now." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "What shall I do?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I cannot say that I have." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I cannot imagine." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were delirious. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I developed." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As bedroom door." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy your sleep?' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the stable lane now." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my ways of our fellow-men." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. to-morrow." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "But how did you gain them?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him details should find their way into the papers. Inspector God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could to take care of herself." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and him." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close village inn over there?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." everything which you would wish to know." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a ways of our fellow-men." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the people don't know." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. had this final quarrel? I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, him to go away.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. address. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice back alive. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Always." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been carried out of court." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "That you are never beaten." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and such attractions and accomplishments?' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come said he. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms following enigmatical notices: Holmes' thin, eager face. hour." companion. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "But his left-handedness." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for other means.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather other, as fresh and trim as possible. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are orange pips. manager. "Yes." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." trying to your nerves." not as remarkable as your advertisement." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "There is the writing." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master at home. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. too. "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It certainly sounds feasible." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and