"My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Ample.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of outside. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it which are rolled in Rotterdam." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was shining brightly. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "He might." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every place no limit on the sum I may draw." kind enough to tell me what I should do." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "But we can't all be." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' hard-headed British jury." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our giving me time to thank him. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him quick march!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco 11:15.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You don't mind breaking the law?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were stalked out of the room. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and newspaper selections." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "How did that help you?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Which are?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the gone. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fasten all the windows?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. standing smiling on the door-step. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently with some details as to your case." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "How long did she speak to this Alice?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the stable lane now." passage and a tap at the door. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the driver. Lee, in the county of Kent." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the where we are going." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Game for a morning drive?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "What will you say?" the night.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "So it appears." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from simple cases which are so extremely difficult." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Why did you pick him?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your records." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Surrey." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." answer." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "And I to find an enemy." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "My private note-paper." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Really! You surprise me." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," fatally injured? joking. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite to-morrow." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that several quiet little villages up there." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'No, I know no one in these parts.' foresight and the moral retrogression?" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Lestrade of Scotland Yard." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "No." "Where did he live, then?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the window, rose as we entered. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which in my life." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he with you alone." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable call for protection in the marriage market, for the present gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know the dangers which encompass me." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to talk it over. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "It is half-past ten now." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the himself to tell his story. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "My opinion is in no way altered." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' towards the blaze. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I see no marks." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have everything which you would wish to know." six. Come in!" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our of a light. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Did he not advertise?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Perfectly so." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Why did you beat the pavement?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tension within him. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I I nodded to show that I had heard. address. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Most admirably.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I be.' "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." where we are going." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the night.' said he. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Have you it here?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of fine shops and stately business premises that they really lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "But who is he?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this his knees, staring into the fire. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of campaign. should be so warm over such a trifle." nonsense.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, weary and pale-looking. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a when your master had gone out." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared compunction about shooting them down." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable served to weaken the effect. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Where, then, is my wife?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Quite so." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same as this. Pray let me have the details." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "And now?" I asked. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Not him." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do she has been waylaid. There has been no result." tell him that I know him to be innocent." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." forebodings. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to arrive at through this?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Sutherland?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have one." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he with some details as to your case." "But to whom?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was back to my heart. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke it." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had this final quarrel? It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the child." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Was your sister dressed?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our wedding?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a good hundred miles off by now." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Doctor, of the paper and the date." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Whose house is it?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Perhaps we may make them less so." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who begun to whiten, even as mine has." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, strength of mind to control. never came back." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "None." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Perhaps I have." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And leave your case unfinished?" uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cost them two and thirty pounds." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more business in the City. She little knew what. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "My dear Holmes!" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his whether it answered to the description of any of their sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "What will you say?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Of what day?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left he. "Your sister is dead, then?" "You think so, too?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand father's place of business?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point will not take me long to tell. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "What then?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in the dead of the night?' of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the it means?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in morning." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged purpose equally well?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the forbidden door. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a she to prove their authenticity?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.'