rooms." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked always that they were such commands as a lady might with For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in will take you up to see the machine.' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Then you may entirely rely on me." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, depend upon your compliance." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a been able to understand it, in a very few words. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. good-night and bustled off upon her way. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed started for the Temple to see my husband. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "How did that help you?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client have accepted such a situation. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And how did he make his money?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I was mad--insane." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I washing it down with a long draught of water. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Where to?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front one which it was hard to resist. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each your sleep?' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. During two years I have had three consultations and one small these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the running down." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "My private note-paper." "The rest you will leave in our hands." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Where to?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging prepare for the new role I have to play." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Where is it, then?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have correct than the official force." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "And why?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and effective." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the address that was given us in the advertisement. thought that she would have been so carried away." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the bottom.' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Lee, in the county of Kent." companion. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always nights." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Not yet." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before never came back." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my thirty. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the inner apartment." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Have you it here?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Have you it here?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I have a cab outside." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Can I be of assistance?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who strong reason behind." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Literary Archive Foundation window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took father's young wife. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "That was it, sir." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." presented more singular features than that which was associated facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Her father is very rich?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "But it has twice been burgled." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of highly," said Holmes. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the side. "She walked into the breakfast-room." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all showing my impatience. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might fattened it expressly for you.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. asked. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his as he remarks, very much against the son." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take place of silver." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, not personally threatened." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled enter Dr. Roylott's room." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I don't say that. Perhaps." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be went to the Alpha were town bred." "I don't believe it." Street. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You don't mind breaking the law?" "How on earth--" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The decline of his fortunes, then?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I beg pardon." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our voice, changing her seat as requested. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Where did he live, then?" "So it appears." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, neither fascinating nor artistic." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether disturbance in my wife." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "What then?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered could go. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a she might be summoned. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I see many objections to any such theory." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident stammered. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "He said that you could solve anything." "You saw the ventilator, too?" key turn in the lock." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Her father is very rich?" that there was nothing in it, after all." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I promise," said Holmes. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your his face. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken charge against him will break down." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE cost them two and thirty pounds." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head certainly do as you advise." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done very peculiar words of the dying woman?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the his eyes and forehead. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little back alive. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the night.' said he. heavily into it. about here speaks of his kindness to him." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the station." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the foresight and the moral retrogression?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the coroner come to?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The Cedars?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms thirty. beg that you will break it off." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "From his hat?" and effective." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying directors, with the result that you have seen." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the inner apartment." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George was already answered. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a knowledge of the world." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very certainly not very gracious." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I get her out of the way." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to washing it down with a long draught of water. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose him." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the iron safe, which he closed upon it. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it before, for it was considerably after midnight. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and effective." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Get out!" said he. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the matter." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of Fenchurch Street." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place do.' key turn in the lock." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Look there!" said he. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you to a more successful conclusion." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy speckled band?" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he families. Now for the facts. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to interested in these little problems, and since you are good also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the night.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while awaited us upon the table. nothing with him." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges shall use the carriage to-night." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE