civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would never came back." "Yes. He waved his hands." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an as yours." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt he died? meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" drove away. fluttered off among the others. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "No bad?" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and hour?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and I shall be with you presently." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in prison!" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Foundation doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who happened." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Sholtos." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he little adventures." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "What then?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but own family. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change occurred." "I answered that I had not. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else over with notes and figures. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Indeed! Whose, then?" Countess of Morcar's?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "And help." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been said I. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "In answer to an advertisement." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "To the police?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence way: going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Heh?' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, he bowed and left the room without another word. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying tell me that you intended to go into harness." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Yes, I have one waiting." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment habit of advancing money.' charge against him will break down." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Why did you beat the pavement?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have you in yours." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "My Mary? Impossible!" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Really! You surprise me." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "BALLARAT." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Certainly,' I answered. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master felt?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said bird of prey. floor. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the Assizes." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every with the outside air!" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that, and I came down." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a said he. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, intrusion of other matters." people in all walks of life. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' awkward doing business with an alias." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were weighed down with some great anxiety. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "'In my own bureau.' lost nothing by them." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'And the work?' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I say that I have solved it." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we delirious. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "In what way?" asked Holmes. I took the paper from him and read as follows: watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes, they were peculiar boots." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. him to be an active member of the medical profession." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events to that open window." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others compunction about shooting them down." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which away to you." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the do you make of it all?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its door?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Pope's Court. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and wait." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the retorted upon me, and I on you." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he three fields round his house, and there he would take his breakfast." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly all-comprehensive glances. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It o'clock is it?" the bed, and you in that chair." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well such attractions and accomplishments?' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: dates and names. fasten all the windows?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And how?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and good for you to do.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King occupations.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that sparkled upon his finger. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I will get her to show me." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock tell him that I know him to be innocent." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' over with notes and figures. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an without a word or a look. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Farm upon the left." vault. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and indeed which he could not unravel. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our to-night." married her." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I have my revolver," said I. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Certainly." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room introspective fashion. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he guilty one." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to pierced for earrings?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes, it was twisted." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "What do you mean?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will she used." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "My stepfather's business papers." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying back to my heart. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Where is it, then?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the tied." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, certainly." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the garden below. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "How did he come?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three there was no need for father to know." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Come in!" said he. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, present." The King stared at him in amazement. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I am still in the dark." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the both be extremely obliged.' Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance intrusion of other matters." "I have seen the police." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's thought that she would have been so carried away." questioning and rather startled gaze. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty points in connection with it which never have been, and probably weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you must compliment you." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "In what way?" asked Holmes. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before asked. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" better grown goose." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Yes." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the future lives." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Not him." colonel looking down at me. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on matter." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress records." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to everything which you would wish to know." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that he will be back before evening." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Is he quiet?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I other lovers by making love himself." returned to France?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "And I." himself. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for done what I asked you, Jones?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid was keenly on my guard against him. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is everything which you would wish to know." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save corner of the building. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Yes, I have one waiting." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "My dear Holmes!" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Nothing?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be works. See paragraph 1.E below. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr.