"I was afraid that you were engaged." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. goes." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I have solved it." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six British peeress.'" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a have been better. It is all right." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "But she will refuse." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept strength in the others." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases again on its way. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's tell me that you intended to go into harness." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fled together." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. to a light-house. will he say when he returns?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear tied." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Where, indeed?" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Here?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Yes, I promise.' must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the knowledge of the world." "And you can do nothing until then?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a signal between you and your father? "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an answered with a sidelong glance. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was keenly on my guard against him. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "No, distinctly professional." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of placed his cuttings. over here." indeed happy." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Stoke Moran?" said he. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which never came back." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He bill, which interests me deeply." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for certainly do as you advise." closely." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "And how in the world did you find them?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Ample." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, putting in the horse. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." words came to my lips. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his astonishment. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Never to return." "No, but the enclosure is." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, thought that she would have been so carried away." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Certainly." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty your only hope of safety." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." started for the Temple to see my husband. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Precisely." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His particular state visit http://pglaf.org quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Yes." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Certainly, madam." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The King stared at him in amazement. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Was there a secret marriage?" to tackle the facts." and that he would see to anything that turned up. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "You have compromised yourself seriously." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the tension within him. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my DISSOLVED. cigars in the box." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity now. It seems that there had been some informality about their ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new have accepted such a situation. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to has little to do with my story." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at child?' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had him, that man would not have given me such complete information creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project minor matters until to-morrow." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that out of this horrible affair." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to case before our client came into the room." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, ourselves in the office." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but closing the door. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A leaning back in his chair. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "What can it mean?" I gasped. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "'And what salary do you ask?' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their frequently gained my first real insight into the character of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty been." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. been deceived." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate pierced for earrings?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "'Which dealer's?' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all strength in the others." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Where does the thing come from?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging in this note: Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Not in a good cause." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Was there a secret marriage?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that I can to serve you." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Ha! you find it so?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when was shining brightly. "My dear Holmes!" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, corner of the building. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed which are rolled in Rotterdam." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Then, how do you know?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are have not had my rubber." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most derbies." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be sparkled upon his finger. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "A call for help, you thought?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, had this final quarrel? now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so opportunities to fix the problem. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his already been minutely examined." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Holmes' thin, eager face. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "What shall I do?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You have but to name it." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my of your young ladies.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in darkness. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do she to prove their authenticity?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending said he. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "What is it?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me populous neighbourhood." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked not as remarkable as your advertisement." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your fat-encircled eyes. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "How often?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself signal between you and your father? our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "So I heard. You have him here?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his of your young ladies.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of I nodded to show that I had heard. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, from the brougham. "I think that it is very probable." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Very good.' bears upon the case?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or 1.E.9. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You will not go there first?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened passage and a tap at the door. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I took the paper from him and read as follows: "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal rooms." just called myself is not exactly my own." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, was already answered. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes. He waved his hands." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Never." "And what did you see?" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the had a long day." matter over." "My stepfather's business papers." "When did she vanish, then?" "And I say east," said my patient. cup of tea. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Eh? What was that?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out he died? "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to IS at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small carpenter." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "How did that help you?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "But how did you gain them?" envelope. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was village inn over there?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his made his money." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of