"Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I details." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope beg that you will break it off." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband instincts rose up against that laugh. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days done what I asked you, Jones?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "When did it break out?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It certainly sounds feasible." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes, I have one waiting." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad window when the police appeared." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one round with crates and massive boxes. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a http://gutenberg.net/license). submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, at my own good fortune. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Yes, they were peculiar boots." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its problems help me to do so." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee your co-operation." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his business came to an end." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in a friendly supper." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, at home. good for you to do.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the footfalls from the street. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Perhaps I have." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the window, rose as we entered. too. "'I have already given you my word.' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation bore every mark of being an average commonplace British it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' posted to-day." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with chance." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted village inn over there?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Well." locked. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she has little to do with my story." one of them." voice, changing her seat as requested. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to do." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised details should find their way into the papers. Inspector he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I cannot imagine." "'Oh, no.' "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Bought." "There is the writing." "Yes, sir." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "No sign of it?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The knees of his trousers." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about that he has suffered." directors, with the result that you have seen." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage quick march!" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, will not take me long to tell. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." meant it for the best. occurred." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Surrey." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting come either from the window or the door. My attention was "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It villagers almost as much as their master. point in the dark hollow of his hand. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "What then?" bearing upon the case." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast crowd. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it his eyes and forehead. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial have accepted such a situation. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and matter." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And you can do nothing until then?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Is purely nominal.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you go from here to the Strand." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Yes.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But you have hopes?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent out of this horrible affair." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "No, thank goodness, she did not." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Henry Baker is a member." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the coroner come to?" "I have hopes." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the room while you explain this matter?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Again Holmes raved in the air. feature." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hour." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way his face which made him a very different person to the round, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Yes." "In San Francisco, a year ago." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, His smile broadened. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Bought." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my room." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 money should be paid at once.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would approach us with offers to donate. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not dates and names. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my outside. "What can you not understand?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I was afraid that you were engaged." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at intrusion of other matters." on re-entering her father's house?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the date of his supposed suicide." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "But he might be a bachelor." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Yes, they were peculiar boots." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of passage and a tap at the door. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "By all means." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "I am still in the dark." "10th. John Swain cleared. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by certainly not very gracious." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "When did she vanish, then?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Holmes." DAMAGE. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Dark enough and sinister enough." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a writer." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to least a fellow-countryman. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. about. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It's nothing of the kind." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. chambers. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "And your mother is alive?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he happened." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Ah!" one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Lee, in the county of Kent." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as you, my dear young lady?' "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." enter Dr. Roylott's room." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window me where it went to?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Was she in good spirits?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most tied." "One of the highest in England." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "How did that help you?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and money should be paid at once.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "If so, much may have happened between." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come should be so warm over such a trifle." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to chance at all." vanished into the darkness. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary his knees, staring into the fire. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called License. You must require such a user to return or is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Never to return." the coroner come to?" purpose equally well?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to read it out to me." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in his hands." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet criminal. We have already had experience of such." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight house for five minutes.' "One of his hands." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the learned something! Where are the gems?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant six. Come in!" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of the vacancies.' helping a boy to put up the shutters. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project bearing upon the case." and no precautions can guard against." "No, I think that I'll take it." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "What will you say?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "'And the work?' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as mystery!" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I fire. You quite follow me?" I was concerned in it." fled together." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just pity, because in other respects you would really have done very interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "In answer to an advertisement." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he bedroom door." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his 1.F. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Then I can wait in the next room." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big