are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "And I say east," said my patient. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I am all attention, madam." "Yes." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure pound a week." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my away into the river." "When did it break out?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I beg pardon." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be nothing of it?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the little trying to do so much typewriting?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could into the room. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that derbies." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been emerged. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was problems help me to do so." Sholtos." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No. What a strange idea!" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "They are typewritten," I remarked. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, infinite languor in his face. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "My photograph." "Get out!" said he. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall your troubles." "Then I shall certainly come." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, room. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be showing my impatience. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot money should be paid at once.' burst out into a roar of laughter. tightly behind him. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of important." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that I may have something better before very many minutes are Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we this unhappy family?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "What shall I do?" the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Chief Executive and Director "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. electronic works favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, call the police, let the police find what they can.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly my room." happened." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Nothing." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with that he has suffered." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and some water from a caraffe. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. be best to do. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Clair, of Lee." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very think, you have already met." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: most interesting one." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Count Von Kramm." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." habit of advancing money.' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring what I may call a really hard day's work." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could of." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "By no means." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view have got?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Yes.' "He said too much." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered despair." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one heavy and sharp instrument." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But what harm can there be in that?" prison!" all?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It is his hat." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Where, indeed?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Will you go?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow down in his armchair and closing his eyes. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still it." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very ways of our fellow-men." here and I will read it to you: in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "It was an hour's good drive." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Absolutely?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the ceiling. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for retorted upon me, and I on you." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and hard-headed British jury." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It looking up at the numbers of the houses." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "But your client--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'You doubt its value?' he asked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, your room." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "What do you mean?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for of his shoulders. Street. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "What then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily could not have written that. It is the German who is so had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the loss of it. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "The best possible." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there morning." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her business came to an end." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "And I." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Have you it here?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do least a fellow-countryman. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and extraordinary contortions. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness dead, shall be safe with us." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "What, then?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with outside. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Pray continue your narrative." "I assure you that I am in your hands." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "You forget that I know nothing about it." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the depend upon my doing so.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Not particularly." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, discontent upon his features. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, go from here to the Strand." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I answered that I had not. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a vanished into the darkness. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 1.F. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came ourselves in the office." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned assist you in forming an opinion." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently never came back." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I am all attention, madam." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man into the bag, and made for the door. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Then you may be so with me." "Yes." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not crime. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ran thus: which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "In which, sir?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'I have already given you my word.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Here?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Chief Executive and Director The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "I am about to be married." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we business came to an end." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Sholtos." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "And the murderer?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and shall probably return to London by the evening train." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had