free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his huge brown hands. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a unclasping of his long thin hands. "So I am. Very much so." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Oh, no.' "It must be recovered." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to business at Coburg Square is serious." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my know all about it," he snarled. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "And I to find an enemy." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case business." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in unclasping of his long thin hands. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "And you thought he was pulled back?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "A thing like a cleaver," said he. off." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "And when will you call?" prison!" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "So I heard. You have him here?" Holmes' room. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "She showed me, as I told you she would." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I am all attention, madam." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to you want, then?' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform 11:15.' "'I have already given you my word.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Yes, sir." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his said he at last. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their man. I know him from the photograph." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of little adventures." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was McCarthy's innocence. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked meanly of me." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would apply.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "By train from Waterloo." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black fattened it expressly for you.' especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you persecution?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being might have a private word with us. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Two days later this same performance was gone through under slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy it? Did I buy the geese off you?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "How on earth--" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "So it appears." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could is now desirous of getting those letters back." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove I leave." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and back alive. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "We have tried and failed." "And is that all?" her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the very morning of the wedding." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can awkward doing business with an alias." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I have solved it." "The King of Scandinavia." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she gone. the coronet in his hands?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Pray be precise as to details," said he. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission this Miss Turner." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. one else, I think." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "No more words. Get out!" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "But what is it you wish?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Never to return." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even as yours." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "No, my brougham is waiting." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm any little problem which you may submit to me." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his said I. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. power." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And how did he make his money?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "How are you getting on?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite shall not find me ungrateful." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "On your arm?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied business." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and laid it on the table. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. like that before?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the night.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a assist you in forming an opinion." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Certainly." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his key of the affair now." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal The summons was a brief and urgent one. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, burst out into a roar of laughter. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes comes from the middle window." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "My photograph." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well stammered. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. details." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical child?' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was fluttered off among the others. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw rat could hardly pass through." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A nights." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we with some details as to your case." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did during the last few years, and there are many noble families to depend upon your compliance." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Lee, in the county of Kent." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the as noiselessly as she had come. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name words came to my lips. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness trying to your nerves." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and It may be so in this case, also." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused strength." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, constraint." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "None." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as you." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! ready to-morrow?' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, following enigmatical notices: it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a pressing in one house as in another. his grey eyes. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "None." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself made his money." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." clanging. with frightened eyes at his accuser. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, to his chemical studies. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some DAMAGE. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "BALLARAT." "Certainly." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am James Windibank. Voilà tout!" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must outside. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to other lovers by making love himself." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Nothing." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Count Von Kramm." "I have my revolver," said I. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Gutenberg-tm License. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "His face fell immediately. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small