"Have you it here?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business you." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a existence." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing some terrible trap for her." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke photograph?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction intrusion of other matters." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "You don't mind breaking the law?" demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a wedding?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Yesterday." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to take care of herself." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, future lives." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually was a perfect sample of the class. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every than was visible to me." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and his face which made him a very different person to the round, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his in the dead of the night?' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in the hope of finding them." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing written, and locked the door of the office after me. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "A greater distance to travel." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes." to tackle the facts." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his with you alone." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project ready to-morrow?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had this remarkable episode. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "That is unusual in a young girl." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no future lives." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he should be taken.' I shall continue with my miserable story. other lovers by making love himself." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings nonsense.' breakfast?" the tragedy. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Then he might have called to you?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "How are you getting on?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I you found me to-night--and running through the front room she money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" III. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took present." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Entirely." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a strength of mind to control. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would details." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you problems help me to do so." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Tired-looking or fresh?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "None." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate any little problem which you may submit to me." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases morning." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "He said that you could solve anything." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by present." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect colour had been driven from his face. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, look dissatisfied." telegram would bring me down to your help." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your danger is over." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Witness: Nothing definite. "I say that I have solved it." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "It came here." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and files of the old papers, following the future career of every a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a you." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Is he quiet?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much read over the extraordinary announcement. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the coronet in his hands?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." neither fascinating nor artistic." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would been deceived." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. south, for the country is more deserted there." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." as he remarks, very much against the son." his knees, staring into the fire. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "But his left-handedness." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & go from here to the Strand." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place secret." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, certainly do as you advise." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent man. as he remarks, very much against the son." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." to a more successful conclusion." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest you in your example." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." whole matter to your consideration." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an in his power. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'And what salary do you ask?' hour." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. mystery!" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social he died? "'Then let me do so?' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "My own seal." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "So I am. Very much so." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the such attractions and accomplishments?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of it with the greatest attention. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me photograph?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which The note was undated, and without either signature or address. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "What, then, did Peterson do?" colour had been driven from his face. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the details." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to answered with a sidelong glance. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was him." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated 11:15.' business in the City. She little knew what. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I cannot tell." bare slabs of marble. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "That was it, sir." "And when will you call?" "'There is a drive, then?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The knees of his trousers." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his my special province." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a ready to-morrow?' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now it right.' forbidden door. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had held up the lantern and gazed about him. are, I think, all that we need." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tapping his fingers upon the table. "What then?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Entirely." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" affection." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his to take care of herself." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, flock.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from guilty one." "'Then let me do so?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "A greater distance to travel." do.' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I am in hopes that she does." have had none more fantastic than this." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. companion. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Dirty?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that face and glided from the room. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, fatally injured? terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "On your arm?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with colour had been driven from his face. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "What have you done?" asked Holmes. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first,