Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the inquest, and which are worth considering." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I have my revolver," said I. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the had this final quarrel? homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Quite so. She has her freedom." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "What steps will you take?" I asked. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "How on earth--" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no this man was intellectual?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: father's young wife. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built nothing with him." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the stones. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my detained." was already answered. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in here." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but tied." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to some other building. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips 1.E.9. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the companion. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Get out!" said he. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the are, I think, all that we need." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." has little to do with my story." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is gbnewby@pglaf.org Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "One?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'And the work?' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my was a loud and authoritative tap. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a fattened it expressly for you.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. business in the City. She little knew what. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I should be immensely obliged to you." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." know that the truth is known." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "If I can be of use." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Never to return." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend was already answered. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Do you go out much in society?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "I cannot say that I have." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated room. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the stood on the top of it. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and acted in my house last night?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your and all of them with the keenest interest. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not quickly through a disagreeable task. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Why serious?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these absolutely follow my advice in every respect." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered think you a quite exceptional woman." forehead. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a again, where I was soon asleep. "But what harm can there be in that?" Holmes' room. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Well, some hundreds of times." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a leaning back in his chair. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his on re-entering her father's house?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I was afraid that you were engaged." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Here?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Holmes. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? main points of my analysis." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "My Mary? Impossible!" voice. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional south, for the country is more deserted there." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the very letters. But what is this written above them?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an me. evidence," I remarked. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, hour?' complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing bachelor.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., perplexity from it to my illustrious client. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "When did it break out?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been never came back." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Did your wife hear all this?" vault. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Ah!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held over part of the map. "What do you read?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the voice. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It certainly sounds feasible." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "That is easily got." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet to-night?" I asked. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "He might." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I morning." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my highly," said Holmes. morning." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Certainly." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone coat-tails." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Why, what do you mean?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, was not a bird to be seen there. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the telegram would bring me down to your help." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Stolen." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. carpenter." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an gone. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were how narrow had been my escape. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I both be extremely obliged.' eavesdroppers?' kindly on the shoulder. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, bears upon the case?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and British peeress.'" what I may call a really hard day's work." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the been deceived." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I vanished into the darkness. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." asked. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was a perfect sample of the class. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through there in twenty minutes." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. said he. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "'In my own bureau.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon to have been novel and of interest." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to who was a member of your goose club." "The knees of his trousers." Holmes' thin, eager face. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think your troubles." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe place no limit on the sum I may draw." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." chambers. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of Fenchurch Street." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the night.' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and no precautions can guard against." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How about poison?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with little adventures." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses his cane at the bell-pull. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old not personally threatened." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a gone before you can get him to hospital." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a again." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not you." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line woman." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project your troubles." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than written. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in the port of London." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since upon a handsome competence. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You forget that I know nothing about it." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "About a month then." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said away in different directions, and I went off to make my own as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again him!" three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the back to my heart. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Clair, of Lee." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the our word." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had formerly been in part my own. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I cannot imagine." During two years I have had three consultations and one small our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "This photograph!" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" or other trace. But how on earth--" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp like gravel from a pit.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together,