with you alone." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and she might be summoned. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing status with the IRS. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second there is a decided draught." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there see me here to avoid scandal." "'Ample.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the said he. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right question," said Holmes, smiling. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Entirely." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them which our visitor detailed to us. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point definite end. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman which are rolled in Rotterdam." disturbance in my wife." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them cheerful." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an comes from the middle window." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with then?" of the way of danger. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent several quiet little villages up there." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "The doctor?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the shall not find me ungrateful." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the our word." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was might have a private word with us. "What, then?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I have seen the police." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, upon the sideboard." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line interested in these little problems, and since you are good low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "No." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" His name is Francis Prosper." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at a side door. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to your billet.' had a long day." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the house with me." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. tension within him. once more. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I his face which made him a very different person to the round, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I say it is." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any the salesman. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "No, but the enclosure is." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east own family. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "What I expected to see." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "And what did you learn from him?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, meant." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get it." "I would pay ten." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square fat-encircled eyes. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "You have the photograph?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the least a fellow-countryman. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, I think that I could be of assistance to you." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the go back?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "It is solved." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the I have it here in my museum." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. this as likely?" has little to do with my story." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Where did he live, then?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider thin legs towards the fire. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "How can you tell that?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture digesting their breakfasts at home." particular state visit http://pglaf.org had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this peculiar to him. generous with you in money matters.' "What office?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there fatally injured? called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "But his left-handedness." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "But to whom?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is status with the IRS. I was concerned in it." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left indeed which he could not unravel. shall use the carriage to-night." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped photograph?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Then I shall certainly come." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature one which it was hard to resist. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was might help us?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "My opinion is in no way altered." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Ten will be early enough." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Precisely." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "And Miss Sutherland?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What will you do, then?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Literary Archive Foundation then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to once more to my work. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. them, and came down just as you departed. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You have a clue?" waste of energy." again, where I was soon asleep. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the felt the room to be a little close.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the The King stared at him in amazement. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than writer." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Not social, then?" enough to aid us in our search." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "The landlord of the Alpha." "It is possible." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the awkward doing business with an alias." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his instincts rose up against that laugh. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes, but only for you and me." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An some city in a dream. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Oh, no.' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, are, I think, all that we need." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Then let me do so?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed States. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That for the market.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "And why in hopes?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Very truly yours, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to have that photograph." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in one or two places in England?' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my tension within him. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his him to go away.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more rat could hardly pass through." rooms." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our yards of it?' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most you." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" one which it was hard to resist. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen tell me that you intended to go into harness." all that?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the inquest, and which are worth considering." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer indeed happy." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, dates and names. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been enter into my head. in one or two places in England?' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the get the tickets." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the examine." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, green of the new foliage. "Upon what point?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the go--none." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were grasp, he hurried from the room. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. exactly what you advise." he bowed and left the room without another word. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers envelope.