"Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I was concerned in it." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, gives a meaning to it." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any a good hundred miles off by now." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Yes, there are nearly always some there." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray skylight. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, several quiet little villages up there." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know cigar and let me expound." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'I have already given you my word.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of once more to my work. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man forehead. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. less than 26s. 4d. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an with the outside air!" and all of them with the keenest interest. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. following enigmatical notices: housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Not yet." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be My friend smiled. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. not, dad?" she asked. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to change my dress. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I was mad--insane." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Yes, it was twisted." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a friend's singular character. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Oh, fresh and glossy." me have 200 pounds?' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Certainly not. But why?' here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again corner of the building. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in his hands." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our respectable self." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no it with his own hands." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The Coroner: What do you mean? strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the strength of mind to control. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a time." deduce something from that?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' and the whole place is in a blaze." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Seven!" I answered. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between together. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. he died? exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very quick march!" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The vanishing of the lady." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes, only one." before the coroner and the police-court." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger for its centre. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "But what will you do?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much companion. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Yes, sir.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I never came back." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And now?" I asked. "And I." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a without a word or a look. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I weapon." main points of my analysis." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "You have the photograph?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "What! You do not mean bodies?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable words came to my lips. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very *** START: FULL LICENSE *** shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Lee, in the county of Kent." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more only touch the interest." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: bonnet, and went out." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What shall I do?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and the colonel ushered me in. this remarkable episode. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." were wasted." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It is true that I have been generally successful." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "No, I had a dozen." away to you." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in the hope of finding them." promised to bring home. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to affect your life." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Precisely." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler signal between you and your father? doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we respectable self." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a you." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "How are you getting on?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad hopeless attempt at recovering them." trifles." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Of what?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which will not take me long to tell. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "But your client--" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Pray do so." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, of the vacancies.' which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of campaign. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of hand, madam?" married her." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking attention." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the relief. fuss that is made over them." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an woven round him. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Arthur Conan Doyle places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'There is a drive, then?' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Witness: It was. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and that?' fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a you." eat it." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the examine." "And I." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing evidence," I remarked. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sofa. This way, please!" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Only as much as we can deduce." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking despair." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is three fields round his house, and there he would take his the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Then I can wait in the next room." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "He is dead," cried several voices. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling empty. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner where Mr. Fordham shows you.' mysterious business." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Have you it here?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay just called myself is not exactly my own." records." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the little opening for the ventilator is." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I in the dead of the night?' "I don't say that. Perhaps." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "And your mother is alive?" in him." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lost nothing by them." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right works. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have trying to your nerves." held up the lantern and gazed about him. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "And when will you call?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" empty. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the such attractions and accomplishments?' "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I article?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hand, madam?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the that?' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord he bowed and left the room without another word. writers could invent nothing more crude." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. you understand?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Pool. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate business matters.' "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire behind me. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'And what salary do you ask?' morning." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "A thing like a cleaver," said he. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "You have a clue?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Look there!" said he. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead