her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage morning." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the matter." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Very much so." "Well?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and the church but not where the lady lived." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable way: not use it unless it is absolutely needed." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that to me. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you again, where I was soon asleep. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "It is very clear." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity vanished into the darkness. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the sofa. This way, please!" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to awkward doing business with an alias." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Perhaps I have." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating despair." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'Very good.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the stones. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "How do you know, then?" to a light-house. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the nursery. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend least a most suspicious remark." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It floor. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Do you go out much in society?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do case-book, which he consulted. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. crime. "It is very kind of you." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards through." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Never." weary and pale-looking. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin and have this put in the evening papers." at home. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the it means?" "Why, what do you mean?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Did your wife hear all this?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "No, thank goodness, she did not." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "There is the writing." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with What do you deduce from it?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Then I do not see the point." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all seem to you to be relevant or not." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." business." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" recover the gem." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at residence of the great financier. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Well, it is a possible supposition." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Will you bet, then?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "No." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, never will be, entirely cleared up. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most who was a member of your goose club." and your relations to her." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Cross for the Continent." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the young Openshaw's." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There visitors." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Eh? What was that?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over go from here to the Strand." locked." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, were wasted." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I have hopes." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Never.' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And why?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, conduct the inquiry." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and beyond words. and looked back. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Yes, sir.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "None." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' cost them two and thirty pounds." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "'Tell me all about it,' said I. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what train.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and all of them with the keenest interest. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Oh, yes, easily." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." here." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her started for the Temple to see my husband. "Why, what do you mean?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the devil!" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. that I can to serve you." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue national property. I was determined that the law should have its Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the dangers which encompass me." is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Never." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress girl said." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yesterday." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the date of his supposed suicide." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her again before evening." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Leadenhall Street--and--" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we are, and they are waiting for us." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Is purely nominal.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "None." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Certainly." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon indiscretion." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill vault. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some situation." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress and I shall be with you presently." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new to tackle the facts." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. closely." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Miss Holder?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Stolen!' he cried. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." the south-west, I see." "But you were on a friendly footing?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "But what will you do?" problems help me to do so." Holmes' thin, eager face. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I have seen the police." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open remarked. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that third from London." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "To the police?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Then he might have called to you?" strength of mind to control. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less examination of the premises, but without finding anything which have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." chance at all." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What is it, then--a fire?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which The telegram which we eventually received came late one night