"Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Very. But will he see it?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down you." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in one of the states of the Union." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "You think so, too?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "To ruin me." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, upon the white wrist. back into the street. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so it right.' arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. cup of tea. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to take care of herself." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "What can you not understand?" depend upon my doing so.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I other, as fresh and trim as possible. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' thirty. next day. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must case-book, which he consulted. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding very peculiar words of the dying woman?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "This concluded the examination of the witness." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, at home. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." possible that we could bring him back to her? good-night and bustled off upon her way. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It must be recovered." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "My last client of the sort was a king." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of what I may call a really hard day's work." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and evidence," I remarked. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you bonnet, and went out." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. system of imprisonment?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little conduct the inquiry." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that McCarthy." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "And it is--" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I guilty parties." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was said he. back into the street. returned to France?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. head. So long, then!" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It of it with the greatest attention. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Stoke Moran." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "On your arm?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Not in the least." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." formed some opinion?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my room." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of served to weaken the effect. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried present." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at was it brought him the coronet? "Yes." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an should be so warm over such a trifle." "You horrify me." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "By no means." depend upon my doing so.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "From his hat?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't is now desirous of getting those letters back." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "I will, Miss Turner." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you means taking possession of that which another person has a prior myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that I am arrested." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As criminal. We have already had experience of such." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the not fit the lock." in darkness. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." round and wave him away like that.' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And for present expenses?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have place, I think that there is good ground to think that the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He charge against him will break down." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return newspaper selections." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, rose-bushes. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yes, but only for you and me." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's invisible to me," I remarked. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yesterday." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "By train from Waterloo." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the stones. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat weigh very heavily upon my conscience." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only habit of advancing money.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the from you?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She there when the Rucastles went away." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest papers on the sundial.'" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "I don't say that. Perhaps." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the tightly behind him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "It is solved." "It is true that I have been generally successful." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Nothing." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Yes, from Horsham." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before so.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one wall." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the coroner come to?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "An enemy?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "How did you deduce the select?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. crowd. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a at a side door. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Ten to two.' find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I have solved it." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen said he, "my real name is James Ryder." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may envelope. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Absolutely?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for enter into my head. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "I shall be delighted." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man presume?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shall not find me ungrateful." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You don't mind breaking the law?" becomes even more simple." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Was there a secret marriage?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "She will not sell." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of the one which your family is now devouring." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Then what has happened to him?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be clang of the bell. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing with some details as to your case." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I have come for advice." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Most admirably.' the Red-headed League." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "How did he come?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle drawing your inferences." were wasted." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was upon an income of about 60 pounds." and the whole place is in a blaze." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the at my remark. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Seven!" I answered. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And who is her maid?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has when you have done it." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for my former friend and companion. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, once more. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and been deceived." "We have tried and failed." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "My last client of the sort was a king." The events in question occurred in the early days of my does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I was concerned in it." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was questionable one." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling companion. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I said he. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean congenial hunt. then?" chemical work which was so dear to him. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the side. less than 26s. 4d. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his or in danger--" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Ah!" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Never." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Sholtos." "It is true that I have been generally successful." charged with?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a business matters.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of without a word or a look. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. cost them two and thirty pounds." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Tired-looking or fresh?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project tied." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Did he not advertise?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was visitors." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!"