upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. amused." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across possible that we could bring him back to her? than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police The King stared at him in amazement. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and third from London." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and back alive. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a said I. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil strode off upon his way. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not me what he had done with the three missing stones. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and closing the door. married her." fashion which was peculiar to him. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, you." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Certainly." of it with the greatest attention. "Indeed! Whose, then?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "10th. John Swain cleared. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of would then never go into court at all." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as entirely lost his self-respect." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Certainly,' I answered. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then ways of our fellow-men." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and have this put in the evening papers." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE them?" I was concerned in it." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Thank you. Pray proceed." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort his wife has ceased to love him." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "It is very clear." an introduction to him?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Yes, sir.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my secret was safe in his possession. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon away to you." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and voice, changing her seat as requested. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Ample." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "And why in hopes?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, you, my dear young lady?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'Quite sure, dad.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' breakfast?" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and sufficient punishment." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he union?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I unprecedented a position." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns habit of advancing money.' society." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the he died? Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I would give my fortune to have them back." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "She will not sell." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in even so self-evident a thing as that." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate his cane at the bell-pull. You want to know what became of those geese?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss less than 26s. 4d. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "His face fell immediately. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw it." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had leaning back in his chair. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and him. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do introspective fashion. them present such singular features as the strange train of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was it." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'Oh, no.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the some terrible trap for her." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "But the mystery?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed done what I asked you, Jones?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I minor matters until to-morrow." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's cigars in their mouths. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Then how many are there?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "And what then?" with her." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said asked. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. was used.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Which are?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of highroad, where all traces were lost. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Then, as to money?" awaited us upon the table. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." your bag." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and My friend smiled. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a tail." "And the murderer?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not go from here to the Strand." detective. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Thank you. And your address?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "How did that help you?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and once more. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do better grown goose." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, whether it answered to the description of any of their Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of the efforts of the United States government and of the better papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own will be renamed. his forehead." annoyance, but no jest. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Certainly not. But why?' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa London for the present?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but to me. "I fear not." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was ashen face. that I am arrested." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Did your wife hear all this?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Why did you beat the pavement?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened information in his hands the value of which he did not himself master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Dark enough and sinister enough." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Pray do so." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is all?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "That is easily got." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down must compliment you." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Heh?' answer." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Not in the least." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If call the police, let the police find what they can.' to-night?" I asked. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the observed. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." least a most suspicious remark." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the when your master had gone out." and your relations to her." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the bed, and you in that chair." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him over with notes and figures. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was once confined in the cab my mission was practically she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "What! Had he lost his wife?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "And it is--" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Holmes' thin, eager face. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, he did." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "On Monday." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." generous with you in money matters.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in compunction about shooting them down." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This go--none." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady,