"Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "But the mystery?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'Stolen!' he cried. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" sneer upon his pale face. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Come in!" said Holmes. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I have solved it." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Ample.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "We were both in the photograph." "'Yes.' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide visitors." discontent upon his features. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, definite end. "That's no good." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such ago." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "And I to find an enemy." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Was there a secret marriage?" You want to know what became of those geese?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Very much so." exactly what you advise." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But your client--" "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent bell. Holmes whistled. clang of the bell. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk second." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Stolen." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this something of him before." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my before the coroner and the police-court." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "She walked into the breakfast-room." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I will try. What is it?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to jewels which you have stolen?' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No more words. Get out!" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, me. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. business in the City. She little knew what. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bled considerably." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 where she found matters as described by the last witness. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Pope's Court. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "And it is--" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Nothing." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the indeed happy." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, to have that photograph." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "The Coroner: What do you mean? her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Then, how do you know?" "Not him." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for breakfast?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You think so, too?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "That is it on the dressing-table." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Then he might have called to you?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the better grown goose." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "They are typewritten," I remarked. which it had come upon my father." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lumber-room." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be clang of the bell. little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will get her to show me." "That is not always so easy." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Murdered?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever crime. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Nothing." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. train.' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his wife's character?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thirty. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the his forehead." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over there!' what I may call a really hard day's work." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the carried out of court." business matters.' "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. against a man in the prime of life?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to affect your life." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I several quiet little villages up there." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Tired-looking or fresh?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I was afraid that you were engaged." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by drove away. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Yes, only one." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." were new raised from a basin. on in his house." this poor creature." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a you for a few hours?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business with her." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to business." one's self under obligations.' or other trace. But how on earth--" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she writers could invent nothing more crude." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a McCarthy." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Yes." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fatally injured? "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." cigars in the box." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Stoke Moran." "My own seal." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "That was it, sir." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "My private note-paper." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Game for a morning drive?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Nothing." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the this remarkable episode. into the bag, and made for the door. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to where we are going." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, questionable one." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my way: through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of them has the shutters up.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his knees, staring into the fire. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a spark where all is dark to me." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong again before evening." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "But his lameness?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." works. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has few hundred pounds.' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself when you have done it." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with you in your example." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a is four-and-twenty." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'How far from the body?' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most said he at last. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the shag which I had seen upon the previous night. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "What! a murderous attack?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey corner of the building. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow matters immensely." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Surrey." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I have solved it." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. acted in my house last night?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' posted to-day." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled breakfast?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business public press." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where strode off upon his way. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the in darkness. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. pierced for earrings?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I shall not find me ungrateful." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire thin legs towards the fire. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Where could I find him?'