old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to you." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some roused himself from his reverie. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Do you know him?" fact, we may call it conclusive." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I leave you to your papers for a little." which are rolled in Rotterdam." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all outside." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed such attractions and accomplishments?' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and became a certainty. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined me where it went to?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the words came to my lips. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the orange pips. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "There is the writing." there was no need for father to know." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. golden eyeglasses. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "What?" do.' he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to-morrow." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever placed his cuttings. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "She walked into the breakfast-room." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful approach us with offers to donate. "That is it on the dressing-table." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my brought there to personate someone, and the real person is breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the general public were present, then?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." are windows in it, of course?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Stolen." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is his face. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a You want to know what became of those geese?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ah!" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that lost nothing by them." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Entirely." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Dr. Gregory B. Newby would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Why did you beat the pavement?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I was afraid that you were engaged." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the presented more singular features than that which was associated about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just asked with his eyes open. not personally threatened." occurred." a suggestive one." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "One of his hands." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "We must have a cab." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. must be when I saw the door open.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never me where it went to?" "Was there a secret marriage?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private so far?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the served to weaken the effect. "In the cells." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my in my life." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources bare slabs of marble. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "But not more so than I to find you." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to change my dress. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the business matters.' humiliation." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to do.' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "It is very clear." to that open window." "And Miss Sutherland?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Very well, sir. And this stone?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and glanced through. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with some details as to your case." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "9th. McCauley cleared. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until note?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual papers diligently of late, have you not?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "It was." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes." the bed, and you in that chair." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one prison!" me what he had done with the three missing stones. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two coat-tails." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. yourselves in at night?" my special province." do.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "And I." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' My friend smiled. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it prepare for the new role I have to play." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Her father is very rich?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Oh, yes, easily." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Pray do so." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your posted to-day." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning weapon." and I shall be with you presently." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and no precautions can guard against." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of 'please.'" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from within hail.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror round and wave him away like that.' power." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her man. I know him from the photograph." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its strength in the others." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "A greater distance to travel." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "But I am all in the dark." chambers. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "What do you mean?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him himself to hunt down. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your conceal it?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." delighted to hear it," he said. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." hereditary King of Bohemia." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these events, Mr. Windibank!" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Texas, I think." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small this as likely?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his pierced for earrings?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "And how did he make his money?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Yes?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still him to be an active member of the medical profession." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem definite end. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all rooms." call for it in person on Monday morning.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with sake, don't!" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." do." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You have the photograph?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable License. You must require such a user to return or daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of signal between you and your father? "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to strength in the others." on in his house." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well, some hundreds of times." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. habit of advancing money.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I nodded to show that I had heard. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has ventilator." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." golden eyeglasses. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a house for five minutes.' which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the house with me." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Miss Holder?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Perfectly so." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that better in every way that they should make their position a little compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Ah!" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I shall continue with my miserable story. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as me upon any point which I do not make clear." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage outsides of the windows. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to have that photograph." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." made him keep the appointment." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." think that any burglar could have done. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Not particularly." me upon any point which I do not make clear." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Stoke Moran?" said he. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." that you wished to speak to me?' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "No, thank goodness, she did not." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the know that the truth is known." "My own seal." "Yes, only one." "I shall be delighted." "And that is--" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. humiliation." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and