black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap head. So long, then!" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the results." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful said he, "my real name is James Ryder." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said and put his glass in his pocket. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "None." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I nodded to show that I had heard. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was meant it for the best. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to have been novel and of interest." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And why in hopes?" "ARAT," I read. nice household for a young lady." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss important." hair?' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'And the work?' meanly of me." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" fait accompli?" photograph?" "Ha! you find it so?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster bonnet, and went out." I am not easy in my mind about them." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they is a common subject for conversation. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am about to be married." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs directors have had misgivings upon the subject." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Frequently." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the through." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can me where it went to?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just security.' them?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has kindly on the shoulder. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having it means?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. companion imperturbably. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "What is it?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and have this put in the evening papers." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "And I." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You have carte blanche." "'I have already given you my word.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "How about poison?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the made his money." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "9th. McCauley cleared. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. disturbance in my wife." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "By no means." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the coronet at all injured?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to habit of advancing money.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler next day. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons shoulder. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my just called myself is not exactly my own." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. are windows in it, of course?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Nothing." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to been deceived." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went she used." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rooms." very old mansion. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was as noiselessly as she had come. the best of training." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "And on what day did he meet his death?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know back into the street. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "So I have heard." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some undoubtedly my uncle's." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to national property. I was determined that the law should have its really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed felt the room to be a little close.' previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "It is no ordinary one." it." looking up at the numbers of the houses." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily he died? heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the colonel looking down at me. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently breakfast." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you himself in a perplexing position. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the inner apartment." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. Eyford at 11:15.' "One?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. vanished into the darkness. "How did you deduce the select?" chair. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere is a common subject for conversation. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes rather sternly. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Stoke Moran." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have yet." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What I expected to see." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "It is half-past ten now." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the better in every way that they should make their position a little say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of 1.E.9. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" read it out to me." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a unclasping of his long thin hands. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner cause to be." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Who by?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. ran thus: "Which are?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two mysterious business." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Yes." hour?' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Of what day?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about all?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I am all attention, madam." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "And is that all?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a in. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Never." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It is half-past ten now." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Certainly not. But why?' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, all that?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "You forget that I know nothing about it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Where did you address your letters, then?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'Most admirably.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my do.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short examine." be sorry for having acted so harshly." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, interest. They are important, you understand, without being open." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's individual and becomes the badge of a society." about here speaks of his kindness to him." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique really the only notable feature about the thing." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew and it need not interfere very much with one's other said I. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital writing, and yet I know it well." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace His smile broadened. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Yes, it was gone.' here and I will read it to you: glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "What, then, did Peterson do?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What!" he roared. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and have this put in the evening papers." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" never to learn it at all." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Yes, it was gone.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the companion imperturbably. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few there has been an enclosure here!" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'And what salary do you ask?' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she entirely lost his self-respect." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it standing smiling on the door-step. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings over here." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'Why that?' I asks. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Watson," he said cordially. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind fuss that is made over them." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Very murderous indeed." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress