companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "No. What a strange idea!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin said I. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a status with the IRS. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together before, for it was considerably after midnight. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. man. I know him from the photograph." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Certainly,' I answered. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It was." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside take the flies, but not before." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one people in all walks of life. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." murdered man." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. main points of my analysis." "Not social, then?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, case-book, which he consulted. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And why?" "In which, sir?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so know what is wrong with it.' bears upon the case?" "You will not go there first?" face and glided from the room. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from business in the City. She little knew what. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little some water from a caraffe. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I detective. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was a perfect sample of the class. then?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Certainly, madam." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could system of imprisonment?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." crackling voice. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You are all wrong." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the loss of it. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned salesman. "At the wedding breakfast." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down brain must have something in it." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it noise which awoke you from your sleep?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled at once, for I have only half an hour." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I know where it is." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the standing smiling on the door-step. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Sholtos." ran thus: and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell this unhappy family?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to begun to whiten, even as mine has." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from taking in every detail of the apartment. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "But I have heard all that you have heard." trifles." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It must be recovered." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Witness: I must still refuse. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of lost nothing by them." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a whole matter to your consideration." "'I am sure if I had known--' I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls swore that no one else had been in the front room during the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided business?" acquaintance?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten washing it down with a long draught of water. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I back alive. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And how did you verify them?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I should wish to." "I say that I have solved it." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further once more to my work. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. asked. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my here and I will read it to you: "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by it with his own hands." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Yes, it would be as well." Munro.' "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for http://www.gutenberg.net right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Where, then, is my wife?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time hard-headed British jury." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it that you can jump it.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "The knees of his trousers." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "I cannot think." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his province." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "What I expected to see." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the will take you up to see the machine.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to clang of the bell. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I comes from the middle window." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Imitated." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It is very clear." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I will, Miss Turner." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was to some other building. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my waste of energy." "And from a noble client?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "So I am. Very much so." already been minutely examined." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I writing, and yet I know it well." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The events in question occurred in the early days of my are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. dead, shall be safe with us." "She told me to ask you." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it conclusions. the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if in him." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." redistribution. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fashion which was peculiar to him. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "How did you trace it, then?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I do." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up have got?" "This photograph!" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Never.' until night should bring an explanation. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my there when the Rucastles went away." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see never to learn it at all." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should this as likely?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fashion which was peculiar to him. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I am following you closely," I answered. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And who is her maid?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental second window is the one that I jumped from." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little look dissatisfied." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I fear not." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, whatever might befall. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. meant it for the best. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two as noiselessly as she had come. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. galvanised. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal vanished into the darkness. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "This photograph!" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. results." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "From his hat?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when shag which I had seen upon the previous night. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy or other trace. But how on earth--" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes rather sternly. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Your French gold?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about present." "'Where could I find him?' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon his face which made him a very different person to the round, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers there is a decided draught." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I breakfast?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is as yours." III. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that digesting their breakfasts at home." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I see no marks." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow better in every way that they should make their position a little qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter weapon." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Watson," he said cordially. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the is a common subject for conversation. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a thirty. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Your French gold?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" point in the dark hollow of his hand.