lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Can I be of assistance?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his she used." of the vacancies.' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I of the one which your family is now devouring." delirious. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "To ruin me." "An enemy?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until go back?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A before the coroner and the police-court." what I may call a really hard day's work." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend giving me time to thank him. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb his forehead." intrusion of other matters." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without enter Dr. Roylott's room." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "No." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Well, but China?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "And I." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece you?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these I shall communicate with you." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to some other building. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up he died? when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "It certainly sounds feasible." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "When did it break out?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I nodded again. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the arrangements." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to some other building. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the at home. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You horrify me!" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the dangers which encompass me." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which this man was intellectual?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Game for a morning drive?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my sooner or later she must fall a victim. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated country, and eventually married, without anyone having a was already answered. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to relief. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On four million human beings all jostling each other within the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had this final quarrel? friends, not even his own brother. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the warnings." disappearance of the bride.'" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "It was." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, to a light-house. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "On the contrary, this is the right side." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming that you wished to speak to me?' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up been with you?" which was all perfectly true. it right.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "It is very clear." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to strong reason behind." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that is," said he presently: "But who is he?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look The note was undated, and without either signature or address. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an constraint." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours wedding?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly you want, then?' round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my newspaper selections." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. be. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to-night." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I leave." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six business came to an end." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. humiliation." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "It was." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped so.' a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "No." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that had picked up in the wood. "'A dozen yards or so.' villagers almost as much as their master. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "You have the photograph?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" entirely lost his self-respect." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "And what then?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Have you it here?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. in a very precise fashion." "But of what society?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a help us in this matter." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." populous neighbourhood." together. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite events than those which have happened in my own family." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their anything to do with the matter?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Dark enough and sinister enough." Holmes. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, guilty one." bare slabs of marble. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Come in!" said he. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out client, rising. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' detained." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not come at once?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Yes." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our extraordinary contortions. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found her also." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'And the work?' lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable License. You must require such a user to return or carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He this as likely?" centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel works. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Yes, he did." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Holmes' room. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Certainly." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his over part of the map. "What do you read?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar I. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bears upon the case?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend him to go away.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "What! Had he lost his wife?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, despaired of." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" cup of tea. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." said I. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining it. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in stood on the top of it. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'Oh, no.' success. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' drove away. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite bedroom door." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Certainly." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our populous neighbourhood." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could gone before you can get him to hospital." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Breckinridge is his name." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through cheerful." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of my friend's incisive reasoning. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "And your mother is alive?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'I have heard so.' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity prove to be little relation between the different incidents of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to affect your life." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is situation." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had chance at all." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of way: "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind during which he might have communicated with his friend the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Witness: I must still refuse. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to me. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the nursery. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time acquaintance?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to other, as fresh and trim as possible. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Come in!" said he. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Do you know him?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said arrangements." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'As governess?' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a