surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy wall." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an emerged. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are careless servant girl?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he works. See paragraph 1.E below. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, directors, with the result that you have seen." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle you want, then?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had as noiselessly as she had come. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot about here speaks of his kindness to him." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. horse could go." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He slept on the premises." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds conclusions. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? did not hear it also.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the newspaper selections." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for before, for it was considerably after midnight. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Absolutely none." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is she might be summoned. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the appeared upon the scene." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him never to learn it at all." "Very truly yours, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of me. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "At half-wages, in fact." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And you can do nothing until then?" his cane at the bell-pull. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman a monotonous occupation." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored had picked up in the wood. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My directors, with the result that you have seen." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." photograph?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this voice. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm feature." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you understand?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, public press." "Nothing?" round with crates and massive boxes. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Certainly." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, matters immensely." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The that?' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would she slowly sank and died without having recovered her I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, this as likely?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I will try. What is it?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would you came in." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. everything which you would wish to know." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the morning and make my own way in the world.' a suggestive one." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Dr. Becher's." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the at once, for I have only half an hour." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start handed it to him. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I have hopes." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that he has suffered." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some it means?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its business?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I do." This is what he says: friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "You horrify me!" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, round with crates and massive boxes. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the something of him before." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" himself to tell his story. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have writer." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the date of his supposed suicide." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." better in every way that they should make their position a little I am not easy in my mind about them." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, you give your casting vote to?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips arrested. You then--" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen depend upon your compliance." You want to know what became of those geese?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "'I shall certainly be there.' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of Mr. Rucastle's." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out strong and stiff." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your you do it in twenty minutes!' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Ample.' touch that coronet?' morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Ten to two.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry yourselves in at night?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the nursery. to a light-house. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I will get her to show me." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our a room. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the address that was given us in the advertisement. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the charged with?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hopeless attempt at recovering them." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my letters?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" but preventing her from injuring another. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." she to prove their authenticity?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I would pay ten." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few congratulate you again." were wasted." "I am armed." over part of the map. "What do you read?" enough to aid us in our search." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "But you have hopes?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in your London, you will know that the office of the company is police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in emerged. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and the whole place is in a blaze." beyond words. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What will you do, then?" and inquire as to the address." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. your only hope of safety." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and put his glass in his pocket. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I am all attention, madam." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Nearly eleven." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which ways of our fellow-men." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his later, upon the night of May 2nd." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "How are you getting on?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had said he. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "It looks newer than the other things?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. face and glided from the room. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had you do it in twenty minutes!' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. attention." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital help us in this matter." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Was the window open?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with room?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But she will refuse." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback bird I ate is country bred." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Proceed, then." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn as noiselessly as she had come. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Yes, but only for you and me." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an copied or distributed: "'Which dealer's?' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, public press." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The events in question occurred in the early days of my cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she this unhappy family?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to you." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the seen the man in the road." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat awkward doing business with an alias." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all putting in the horse. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has chance at all." "That also I could fathom." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and glanced through. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "But his lameness?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "No, I am descending." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely ways of our fellow-men." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be here." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as ventilator." only touch the interest." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that other, as fresh and trim as possible. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the night.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. at my own good fortune. "No?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "What of the rat, then?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on