confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I bonnet, and went out." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Frequently." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "But who is he?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then simple cases which are so extremely difficult." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our infinite languor in his face. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an could gather together that I was able to avert another public used to be." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" down. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a that he will be back before evening." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor voice, changing her seat as requested. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Absolutely none." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to is," said he presently: Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Leadenhall Street--and--" you in yours." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "No." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. weapon." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Then how many are there?" "Precisely so. But how--" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Surrey." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house himself to hunt down. to tackle the facts." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "No, but the enclosure is." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly said he. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Yes." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not chambers. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade might help us?" lost his Christmas dinner." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Your French gold?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And I to find an enemy." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his silent! Oh, he will be silent!' rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it were putty." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of invisible to me," I remarked. upon an income of about 60 pounds." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No, finished." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged woman who has had her own way to make in the world. companion imperturbably. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which better in every way that they should make their position a little "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Certainly." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Come in!" said Holmes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the shoulder; "he's all right." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Your sister is dead, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "No more words. Get out!" again, where I was soon asleep. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and he. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What! Had he lost his wife?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in notes," he said. "So I heard. You have him here?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "One?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave it? Did I buy the geese off you?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. carried out of court." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at think you a quite exceptional woman." the side-table." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press crime." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to a light-house. new acquaintance to Baker Street. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I his fortune, and I went back to pa. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction States. "There is the writing." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are my secret was safe in his possession. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'Is purely nominal.' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers without a word or a look. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Which are?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The murder was done with it." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side next day. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from morning." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I cannot say that I have." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I guessed as much." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten highroad, where all traces were lost. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What! Had he lost his wife?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out round and wave him away like that.' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper security.' could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' golden eyeglasses. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to allusion to a rat. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Then I shall certainly come." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered showing my impatience. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will there." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. think, you have already met." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." I have it here in my museum." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and locked." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. maiden herself was most instructive." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train strength in the others." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "An accident, I presume?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "No, but the enclosure is." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got himself. "Her father is very rich?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." to affect your life." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the a little more before I quite committed myself. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor better in every way that they should make their position a little interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which delighted to hear it," he said. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very bears upon the case?" pressing in one house as in another. you want, then?' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private extraordinary contortions. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the reach." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "What of the rat, then?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to affect your life." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes, I have one waiting." "I am to be neutral?" you." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most said Mr. Holder. Watson," he said cordially. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from chambers. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have The events in question occurred in the early days of my in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Just look it up, then." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is half-past ten now." looking up at the numbers of the houses." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the coronet in his hands?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a to some other building. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from chance." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked posted to-day." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I should wish to." "'Where to?' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I have a cab outside." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And any." "Your presence might be invaluable." the general public were present, then?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that he has suffered." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have would then never go into court at all." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "One of his hands." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, is now desirous of getting those letters back." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I it right.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. burst out into a roar of laughter. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, politicians who had been sent down from the North. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I cannot think." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hour?' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Oh, fresh and glossy." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Why did you pick him?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Certainly."