examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, held up the lantern and gazed about him. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and ways of our fellow-men." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with frightened eyes at his accuser. hair?' formed some opinion?" the King without delay." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Thank you. And your address?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "What then?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Come in!" said he. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He purpose of examination. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Yes, sir.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I never have." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the coroner come to?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty rat could hardly pass through." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you interested in these little problems, and since you are good disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover woman." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "He slept on the premises." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by have had none more fantastic than this." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly infinite languor in his face. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. said Mr. Holder. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a room had already been engaged for us. new acquaintance to Baker Street. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that do.' "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that you can jump it.' though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's bird I ate is country bred." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or rat could hardly pass through." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'I am sure if I had known--' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing tail." "On your arm?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, an introduction to him?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." acquaintance?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I should like to see him very much." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on on in his house." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Street. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "A greater distance to travel." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "But not more so than I to find you." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do until night should bring an explanation. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But you have hopes?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Doctor, of the paper and the date." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "What, then?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "A client, then?" copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of call the police, let the police find what they can.' Street. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I will try. What is it?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "It is half-past ten now." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to miss it." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." she might be summoned. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. she might be summoned. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had most interesting one." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "What, then, did Peterson do?" despair." "Was she in good spirits?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "No good news?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You have but to name it." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." brandy and water within his reach. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It is his hat." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did events, Mr. Windibank!" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We once more to my work. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It is a murder, then?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." respectable self." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I am about to be married." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past brandy and water within his reach. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." not as remarkable as your advertisement." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at nothing with him." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the bedroom door." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Very. But will he see it?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to straighten it?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold through." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' hardly wander." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black meant." "'I shall certainly be there.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and it need not interfere very much with one's other there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would congenial hunt. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the roots. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish characteristics, but those are the more obvious." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an himself. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Heh?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Dr. Gregory B. Newby that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he followed. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man woven round him. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that the gas is not laid on in his house?" stepfather?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Nearly eleven." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Married! When?" Pool. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'I am sure that I do not know.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." through." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will to talk it over. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties there has been an enclosure here!" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had good-night and bustled off upon her way. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place coat-tails." in the hope of finding them." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' may never be exposed to such a temptation." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. McCarthy's innocence. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Very. But will he see it?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on records." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Your presence might be invaluable." the coronet in his hands?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "We must have a cab." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Who was the criminal, then?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "And how did he make his money?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I already been minutely examined." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no sound at heart." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. envelope. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard prepare for the new role I have to play." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my congenial hunt. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "And the murderer?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "My dear Holmes!" "Here?" "'Which dealer's?' what these perils are?" the so-precious time, but come!' hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Did your wife hear all this?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I himself. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of the efforts of the United States government and of the better confronted him. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well strong and stiff." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Certainly." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out companion. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman bore every mark of being an average commonplace British next day. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Very. But will he see it?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge gigantic client. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "None." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done of a light. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I you?" "And sit in the dark?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have accepted such a situation. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." happened." "Game for a morning drive?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am be there in time for your coming." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the best of training." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. for and were ordered to this address. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. directors, with the result that you have seen." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "What! a murderous attack?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and became a certainty. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Entirely." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in of Mr. Rucastle's." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I leave." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not have established a very serious case against the son of the persecution?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that weighed down with some great anxiety. breakfast." congenial hunt. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and danger is over." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'Stolen!' he cried.