important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was himself. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked him. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how see me here to avoid scandal." "Why, what do you mean?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to criminal. We have already had experience of such." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard meant." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of room had already been engaged for us. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the coronet in his hands?" "'Yes, I promise.' male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It with her." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about following enigmatical notices: "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Does that suggest anything?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "We were both in the photograph." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "That is not always so easy." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Yes." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I undoubtedly my uncle's." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and all of them with the keenest interest. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could depend upon your compliance." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. situation." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I will do it." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "And who is her maid?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It is half-past ten now." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Which are?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Could he throw no light?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Come in!" said Holmes. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Absolutely none." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Did he not advertise?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." points to suicide?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must bedroom door." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon it with his own hands." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I took the paper from him and read as follows: "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, late!' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with but preventing her from injuring another. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting bedroom door." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis been lifted and conveyed somewhere." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Surrey." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell look dissatisfied." "Always." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Did he not advertise?" you." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the a very grave face. For additional contact information: man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at do.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bedroom door." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "My private note-paper." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, must be when I saw the door open.' me where it went to?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But he might be a bachelor." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." persecution?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "The landlord of the Alpha." who was a member of your goose club." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What is it, then--a fire?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." with you alone." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** started for the Temple to see my husband. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and nice household for a young lady." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's chamber." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to locked. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Yes." been with you?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul leave you to your papers for a little." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism in the port of London." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You did not overhear what they said?" as noiselessly as she had come. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the read it out to me." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a views." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Not social, then?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, your sleep?' and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "Breckinridge is his name." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever meanly of me." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the so-precious time, but come!' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all man. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair young Openshaw's." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were that you saw all that I did." "He is still with you, I presume?" discontent upon his features. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sake, don't!" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom this man was intellectual?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "None." crackling voice. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Where did he live, then?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding populous neighbourhood." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." of." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at advice." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said present." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it where Mr. Fordham shows you.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, until night should bring an explanation. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "The murder was done with it." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible round and wave him away like that.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than possible that we could bring him back to her? deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so from the brougham. outside. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about clanging. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid standing smiling on the door-step. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "The landlord of the Alpha." murdered man." 1.E.9. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a introspective fashion. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you straighten it?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know threw himself down with his face to the pillow. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box breakfast?" Street. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Cross for the Continent." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in that I am arrested." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider was a perfect sample of the class. "I should wish to." families. Now for the facts. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Absolutely none." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I will not look." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the formed some opinion?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what answered with a sidelong glance. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Nothing?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in his hands." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with you alone." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Most admirably.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with maid will bring up your coffee." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up carriage. It was a chestnut." "Pray continue your narrative." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town business." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of events, Mr. Windibank!" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us have not had my rubber." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "When did she vanish, then?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made know all about it," he snarled. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a his face which made him a very different person to the round, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the several quiet little villages up there." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "It looks newer than the other things?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the nursery. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is some city in a dream. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Pope's Court, Fleet Street." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "One of the highest in England." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. stepfather?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "In heaven's name, what for?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner.