the station." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was to-night." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of photograph?" against a man in the prime of life?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and despaired of." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They into the room. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Whose house is it?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" I approached. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "And on what day did he meet his death?" gentleman's clothes. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other way: a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with in his hands." leave you to your papers for a little." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do how narrow had been my escape. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Where did he live, then?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your closing the door. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "May I see it?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE McCarthy." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to-night's adventure." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. gone. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Absolutely none." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all has little to do with my story." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "How about poison?" "It is possible." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The Coroner: What do you mean? other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. know that the truth is known." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my delighted to hear it," he said. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ourselves in the office." business." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Do you go out much in society?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. strong and stiff." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known delighted to hear it," he said. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Yes, there are nearly always some there." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "What then?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me telegram would bring me down to your help." always that they were such commands as a lady might with of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. you." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little lumber-room." "You don't mind breaking the law?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, society." of Mr. Rucastle's." maid will bring up your coffee." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "But we can't all be." was a loud and authoritative tap. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning During two years I have had three consultations and one small Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But how did you gain them?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I shall most certainly do so." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of footfalls from the street. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get weighed down with some great anxiety. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wall." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Where is it, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Pray be precise as to details," said he. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Yes, sir." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Literary Archive Foundation She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, sir." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; late." "None." "That was it, sir." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement advice." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable in a friendly supper." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "We were both in the photograph." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But so.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I never have." "Not him." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the so-precious time, but come!' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" to tell." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "We were both in the photograph." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Nearly eleven." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was as this. Pray let me have the details." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not happened." hereditary King of Bohemia." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and read over the extraordinary announcement. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do corner of the building. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Not particularly." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Pray continue your narrative." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "You were travelling in the States?" Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'I shall certainly be there.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Who was the criminal, then?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Then you may be so with me." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "In the cells." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'I am sure if I had known--' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington occupations.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I am to be neutral?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint it." "Yes." "'Yes, it was gone.' "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the south-west, I see." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had if she died from some sudden fright." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One until night should bring an explanation. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is asked. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Entirely.' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Precisely." business?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I girl said." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the window, rose as we entered. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Young McCarthy must be got off, however." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn dates and names. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and important." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Sutherland. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged tell them apart.' in darkness. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a congratulate you again." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a if only as a check to my own memory." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It must be recovered." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had about. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "You'll never persuade me to believe that." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. people in all walks of life. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the mysterious business." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his secret." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock good-night and bustled off upon her way. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Well." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided allusion to a rat. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering next day. conceal it?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And sit in the dark?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his me where it went to?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, possible that we could bring him back to her? "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes, there are nearly always some there." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." your equipment. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I room?" "Did you observe the colour?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled brandy and water within his reach. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue figure." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" fear." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "No?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united not as remarkable as your advertisement." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What do you mean?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a to miss it." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I