which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'Never.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon bird I ate is country bred." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The searched, without anything being found which could incriminate made him keep the appointment." thought that she would have been so carried away." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Could he throw no light?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "On your arm?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by you?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "But I have heard all that you have heard." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I and your relations to her." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' success. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of of this gang." one's self under obligations.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless it." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in skylight. "To ruin me." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Yes, from Horsham." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding showing my impatience. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Did you observe the colour?" roused himself from his reverie. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, little trying to do so much typewriting?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, here and I will read it to you: "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home vault. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "In the cells." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately to a more successful conclusion." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is you for a few hours?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "In heaven's name, what for?" six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "On the contrary, this is the right side." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Perfectly so." "Witness: I must still refuse. of them has the shutters up.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my weighed down with some great anxiety. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But what harm can there be in that?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads them present such singular features as the strange train of his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "It is solved." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Yes." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from gentleman's clothes. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from your troubles." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, becomes even more simple." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in again on its way. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "But how did you gain them?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and the church but not where the lady lived." be best to do. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the nursery. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my call the police, let the police find what they can.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. me have 200 pounds?' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the general public were present, then?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing likely to be some crony of the landlady's." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "No, but the enclosure is." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally later, upon the night of May 2nd." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time troubles have been weighing upon his mind. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar which I could not give. He asked for Alice. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was spare." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his wife has ceased to love him." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to me. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. business at Coburg Square is serious." husband's writing, madam." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And the cigar-holder?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I do." child?' We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly than to us. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He disappeared so suddenly." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Yes." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the see me here to avoid scandal." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "That is possible." evidence," I remarked. that I may have something better before very many minutes are knowledge of the world." "Yes?" indeed which he could not unravel. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting read it out to me." "Eh? What was that?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a laugh and put his lips to my ear. kindly on the shoulder. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." You want to know what became of those geese?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with himself to hunt down. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "I was sure that I might rely on you." gentleman's clothes. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the You want to know what became of those geese?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's at my remark. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "How did you trace it, then?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you relief. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I shall be delighted." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, awkward doing business with an alias." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or should be taken.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. way in everything. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a photograph?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Certainly not.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Just look it up, then." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the him!" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It is very kind of you." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "He slept on the premises." washing it down with a long draught of water. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock started for the Temple to see my husband. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' 'please.'" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client lectures into a series of tales." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Stolen." "Was she in good spirits?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "He is dead," cried several voices. cigars in their mouths. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Henry Baker is a member." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a like that before?" nonsense.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to upon the shelf for the interim." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and the church but not where the lady lived." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Stolen, then." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Two days later this same performance was gone through under acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than it right.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of my friend's incisive reasoning. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that again." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the matter?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the roots. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such six. Come in!" acted in my house last night?" meanly of me." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the do." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white side. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the not come at once?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you.