we went to search for him, face downward in a little I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an children over to America with him, so that I found myself without me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But you were on a friendly footing?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of 1.E.9. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You think that he is dead?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second did not hear it also.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "What have you to say now?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." third from London." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Very good.' the dangers which encompass me." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried works. See paragraph 1.E below. it. make me his representative both with the servants and with the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings deduce something from that?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Absolutely?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Gutenberg-tm License. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I am all attention, madam." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up this poor creature." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Yes." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the chamber." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the stable lane now." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "My own seal." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. spare." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the I leave." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not photograph?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there in twenty minutes." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who do.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at than was visible to me." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us overpowering excitement and concern. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And how?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and the general public were present, then?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on back to my heart. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" long narrative. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I hopeless attempt at recovering them." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing his huge brown hands. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks so far?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of eat it." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "If so, much may have happened between." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream off." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over your equipment. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an amused." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination that you saw all that I did." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, overpowering excitement and concern. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father DISSOLVED. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an writing, and yet I know it well." quick march!" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for without a word or a look. help us in this matter." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "What!" he roared. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes, sir." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I that, and I came down." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Well?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "By all means." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure crime. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, sir." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would anything to do with the matter?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, wanted for ourselves." be there in time for your coming." people in all walks of life. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Where, then?" seem to you to be relevant or not." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Project Gutenberg-tm works. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, nothing with him." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It bore every mark of being an average commonplace British dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere note?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon a handsome competence. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed seem to you to be relevant or not." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you visitors." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when better grown goose." derbies." "But the mystery?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. intrusion of other matters." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it should be so warm over such a trifle." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "No sign of it?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "About a month then." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" morning." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "It is possible." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the humiliation." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "You horrify me." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of his shoulders. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly London for the present?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'I am sure if I had known--' Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Certainly." nonsense.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Very good.' I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long bedroom door." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "So I heard. You have him here?" records." gives a meaning to it." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he this poor creature." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her me. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hour?' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I don't believe it." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fashion which was peculiar to him. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." imbecility!" he cried. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to arrive at through this?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. enough to aid us in our search." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained gone. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very business in the City. She little knew what. golden eyeglasses. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor passage and a tap at the door. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle second window is the one that I jumped from." said he at last. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest newspaper selections." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in over part of the map. "What do you read?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. made him keep the appointment." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the place of silver." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And what did you learn from him?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that you." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." carried out of court." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "I fear not." with her." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." neither fascinating nor artistic." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all that there was nothing in it, after all." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Miss Holder?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you as the one I chose?' could go. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than over his head with a sweet womanly caress. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I am sure." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The his cane at the bell-pull. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security ill-usage at the hands of fortune. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "I was mad--insane." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of the one which your family is now devouring." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to never to learn it at all." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very few hundred pounds.' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "What office?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Never." "Come in!" said he. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "His face fell immediately. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon wall." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. happened." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On go from here to the Strand." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there has been an enclosure here!" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes DISSOLVED. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "From his hat?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near be there in time for your coming." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am least a fellow-countryman. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the