he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "But what harm can there be in that?" how narrow had been my escape. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. charged with?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his chance." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over said Mr. Holder. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It could not account in any way for the presence of the missing foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "That is it on the dressing-table." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), made him keep the appointment." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." in his power. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And when will you call?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I cannot tell." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a tied." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal hurried by. up this clue while it is still hot." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began tell me that you intended to go into harness." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but furiously. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Yes, certainly." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "It is to him that this trophy belongs." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but you want, then?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian client, rising. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. despaired of." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Surrey." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass question. weapon." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Was she in good spirits?" "Deserted you?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I fear not." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. writer." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "By no means." "That was it, sir." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the that he will be back before evening." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which handed it to him. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Where does the thing come from?' pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Again Holmes raved in the air. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Leadenhall Street--and--" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, of the way of danger. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "To the police?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. people in all walks of life. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf peculiar to him. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Why that?' I asks. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "No?" was feeling which was the fattest.' glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my remarked. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "But how did you gain them?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, call for it in person on Monday morning.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, few hundred pounds.' existence." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been hard-headed British jury." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the you in yours." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I seem to you to be relevant or not." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the vanished into the darkness. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps be.' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Stolen." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Yes.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'Not at all. I only doubt--' like gravel from a pit.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, begun to whiten, even as mine has." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I think that it is very probable." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused bird I ate is country bred." "VIOLET HUNTER." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And I say east," said my patient. 11:15.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Stolen!' he cried. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as suggested at once that there must be a communication between the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I your room." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I have seen the police." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel all-comprehensive glances. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's enough to aid us in our search." "Who was the criminal, then?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "And why?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. purpose equally well?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And I say east," said my patient. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Pray do so." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But who is he?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and was feeling which was the fattest.' "Where did he live, then?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have voice, changing her seat as requested. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I am following you closely," I answered. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "How often?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon time." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. leave you to your papers for a little." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they chill to my heart. I was concerned in it." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to talk it over. clanging. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Yes, sir.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "How often?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when business came to an end." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for affection." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from the inner apartment." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "How can you tell that?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. goes." some terrible trap for her." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." respectable self." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "But I am all in the dark." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Certainly, madam." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was cigars in the box." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I was mad--insane." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any main points of my analysis." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I was sure that I might rely on you." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, from Horsham." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ashen face. "And I to find an enemy." exactly what you advise." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Foundation step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "We have tried and failed." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into answer." over with notes and figures. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such useful material for showing traces. The double line a little garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I have a cab outside." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in a very precise fashion." "No, but the enclosure is." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Breckinridge is his name." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "And when will you call?" "It is very clear." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Not at all. I only doubt--' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with late." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. said I. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "That is unusual in a young girl." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped it right.' that?' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Really! You surprise me." "And how did he make his money?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, tied." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Never." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before to have that photograph." the house with me." cigars in the box." case-book, which he consulted. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Proceed, then." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with some details as to your case." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious prisoner's face. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." 11:15.' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I was concerned in it." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your me." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the