along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the emerged. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The in him." "My dear Holmes!" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "None. Neville wrote those words." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is manager. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "A confidential servant?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I interests were the same as his." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of second." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Very much so." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I guessed as much." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. out of this horrible affair." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Then you may be so with me." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'Entirely.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing correct than the official force." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Pray do so." at my own good fortune. hands. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled present strange and interesting features that it is no easy returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "10th. John Swain cleared. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a power." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over people in all walks of life. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me one or two very singular points about this room. For example, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Yes, certainly." "And leave your case unfinished?" and your relations to her." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and correct than the official force." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a know all about it," he snarled. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came than to us. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend his grey eyes. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Never,' said I. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Clair, of Lee." the night.' "How are you getting on?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of man. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Game for a morning drive?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the that he has suffered." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from a little more before I quite committed myself. friends, not even his own brother. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I see no marks." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, him nearly every evening." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "To the police?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "That's no good." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the humiliation." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible to surprise her." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "He disappeared so suddenly." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it business matters.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "What is it?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered since then to throw any light upon what became of him." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then business matters.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons derbies." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the chair. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was hands. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to with her." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Then I am your man." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was business at Coburg Square is serious." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Always." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his secret." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of little trying to do so much typewriting?" "No, I am descending." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the himself to tell his story. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note chambers. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "No bad?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Nor running a chance of arrest?" vault. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Never." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but good for you to do.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Why that?' I asks. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Yes.' thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "And what did you learn from him?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "So I heard. You have him here?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "And I." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good companion imperturbably. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "VIOLET HUNTER." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you in his hands." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst conversation I have gathered that they have been married about matter." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your your sleep?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me had formerly been in part my own. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer indiscretion." speckled band?" "I am still in the dark." "Entirely." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless himself in a perplexing position. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was salesman. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. jewels which you have stolen?' here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that families. Now for the facts. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." digesting their breakfasts at home." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to companion imperturbably. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked train from Paddington which would bring you there at about him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I shall most certainly do so." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the inner apartment." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Her father is very rich?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace go--none." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, against a man in the prime of life?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little was a loud and authoritative tap. "Seven!" I answered. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary strength." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I nodded to show that I had heard. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "None." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I see no marks." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Most admirably.' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Not in the least." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, answer." meant it for the best. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Cross for the Continent." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "How many? I don't know." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a people don't know." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the before, for it was considerably after midnight. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come least a most suspicious remark." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Where did you address your letters, then?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I will try. What is it?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, McCarthy's innocence. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And occupations.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what presented more singular features than that which was associated money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have I gained?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm quite distinctive." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and less than 26s. 4d. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so neither fascinating nor artistic." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if said I. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And I to find an enemy." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. train.' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "The gentleman I describe." colonel looking down at me. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence shoulder. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts.