called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "And leave your case unfinished?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the night.' "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Not yet." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre orange pips. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny redistribution. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" upon a handsome competence. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very might have a private word with us. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master mystery!" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I guessed as much." "Did he not advertise?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened this remarkable episode. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I This is what he says: intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the bed, and you in that chair." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose whatever might befall. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a experiences." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with II. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, sir." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies you." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which furiously. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "This photograph!" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine miles off. thin legs towards the fire. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Precisely so. But how--" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in anything to do with the matter?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'Stolen!' he cried. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and capable of preserving a secret.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And it is--" my secret was safe in his possession. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that threaten you." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Won't it ring?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Lestrade of Scotland Yard." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'Entirely.' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "We have tried and failed." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I assure you that I am in your hands." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof brain must have something in it." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered written, and locked the door of the office after me. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the running down." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let cigars in the box." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy your bag." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of the vacancies.' set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "You have the photograph?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "What! You do not mean bodies?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You forget that I know nothing about it." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant his grey eyes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'I have heard so.' the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, been shamefully used." indeed happy." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I was sure that I might rely on you." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm appeal." and wait." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine started for the Temple to see my husband. stood on the top of it. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Yes.' She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in imbecility!" he cried. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and as this. Pray let me have the details." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Sholtos." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." chance at all." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own main points of my analysis." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' This is what he says: pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Stolen, then." definite end. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "So I have heard." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact or other trace. But how on earth--" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But not more so than I to find you." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but During two years I have had three consultations and one small you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not with you alone." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter searched, without anything being found which could incriminate him to go away.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy salesman. miles off. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped to that open window." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of lumber-room." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and the church but not where the lady lived." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "That's no good." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang should be so warm over such a trifle." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Your French gold?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be business at Coburg Square is serious." could gather together that I was able to avert another public to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of tear off another piece?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Precisely." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Pray tell us what has happened to you." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from crowd. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't since then to throw any light upon what became of him." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a speckled band?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I will get her to show me." are windows in it, of course?" "He is still with you, I presume?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for in his power. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so matters immensely." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I was afraid that you were engaged." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "The rest you will leave in our hands." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and to that open window." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it upon the sideboard." "Her father is very rich?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing fluttered off among the others. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon beg that you will break it off." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Leadenhall Street--and--" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal maiden herself was most instructive." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the dangers which encompass me." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sound at heart." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "And how did you find out?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to-night's adventure." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Oh, no.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And I." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I learned something! Where are the gems?" main points of my analysis." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of sneer upon his pale face. "It is possible." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. bachelor.' the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary straighten it?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You think so, too?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "In the cells." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback kindly on the shoulder. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his himself to tell his story. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so if she died from some sudden fright." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of corner of the building. cost them two and thirty pounds." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I have hopes." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the III. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. she to prove their authenticity?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I will he say when he returns?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the house with me." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "It must be recovered." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Yes. He waved his hands." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "You will not go there first?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he voice, changing her seat as requested. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I unclasping of his long thin hands. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the points to suicide?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small writers could invent nothing more crude." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." pictures, libraries, or plate. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I think it very unlikely." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in his hands." "What office?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money walking." "So I have heard." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take weapon." you." Edgeware Road. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the