I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "By train from Waterloo." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." during which he might have communicated with his friend the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim attention." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's crackling voice. "Yes." "I cannot imagine." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "He said too much." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope comes from the middle window." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of from you?" "But she could not love him." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. cheerful." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I warn you that they are very incomplete." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Eh? What was that?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "There are none." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "It must be recovered." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "What I expected to see." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "What do you make of that, Watson?" the bottom.' "Eh? What was that?" 'please.'" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Here?" "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." highroad, where all traces were lost. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with charged with?" of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too even so self-evident a thing as that." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to case-book, which he consulted. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the neither fascinating nor artistic." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Absolutely none." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "What! Had he lost his wife?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of gives a meaning to it." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. or in danger--" charged with?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the business in the City. She little knew what. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his when you have done it." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "That is unusual in a young girl." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical leaning back in his chair. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "None." my room." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in think, you have already met." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There through." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems least a fellow-countryman. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "None." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I enter into my head. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You have but to name it." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Which are?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Of what day?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes, at the mines." matters immensely." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her foresight and the moral retrogression?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the room while you explain this matter?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Precisely." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I you for a few hours?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then I do not see the point." you." was already answered. the side-table." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be bill, which interests me deeply." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is into the bag, and made for the door. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the ago." your bag." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Certainly not. But why?' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord any little problem which you may submit to me." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son other, as fresh and trim as possible. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Yes." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line thirty. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin tightly behind him. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I waste of energy." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to roused himself from his reverie. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Yes, sir.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists impression behind it as though a window had gently closed note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Was your sister dressed?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to society." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is looking up at the numbers of the houses." For additional contact information: out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "No. His orders were to stay in the house." not, dad?" she asked. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H envelope. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. held up the lantern and gazed about him. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a and wait." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You the little opening for the ventilator is." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to a more successful conclusion." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining not personally threatened." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an bird I ate is country bred." "And Irene Adler?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "It must be recovered." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had who was a member of your goose club." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "How can you tell that?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and points to suicide?" himself to hunt down. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be sake, don't!" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Not yet." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the very morning of the wedding." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It was." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded some water from a caraffe. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "That is unusual in a young girl." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It came here." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that was it brought him the coronet? safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of few hundred pounds.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Did he not advertise?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my little problems." felt the room to be a little close.' letters?" "And sit in the dark?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always them, and came down just as you departed. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you hurried by. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, back to my heart. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot chill to my heart. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some if I call to-morrow?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, McCarthy's innocence. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "What?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "An enemy?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, past. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Pray continue your narrative." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. than to us. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, like gravel from a pit.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated quickly through a disagreeable task. written, and locked the door of the office after me. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to retorted upon me, and I on you." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I cannot tell." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which one of the states of the Union." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, jewels which you have stolen?' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. keep the flames under. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered searched, without anything being found which could incriminate America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'You cannot say what it was?' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your said he, "my real name is James Ryder." new acquaintance to Baker Street. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible your own bird, so if you wish--" was a loud and authoritative tap. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, look upon these things in a different way." the running down." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has a room. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You his face. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's one else, I think." "Where is it, then?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just I. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand enter into my head. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to again." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fled together." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, long narrative. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No. What a strange idea!" tied." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "So I am. Very much so." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her