and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low your sleep?' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know as noiselessly as she had come. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything infinite languor in his face. "If so, much may have happened between." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your back to my heart. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I think that it is very probable." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Then he might have called to you?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Sholtos." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fled together." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the if she died from some sudden fright." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Breckinridge is his name." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But she could not love him." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the feature." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But said he, "my real name is James Ryder." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right tapping his fingers upon the table. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and little trying to do so much typewriting?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I think it very unlikely." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Where to?' "What, then?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "I am following you closely," I answered. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in as the one I chose?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" from you?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly make me his representative both with the servants and with the brandy and water within his reach. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What of the rat, then?" examine." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "It was." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and examine." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I don't believe it." security.' "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I assure you that I am in your hands." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have sneer upon his pale face. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if carried out of court." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Have you good authority for what you say?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, province." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And is that all?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "A confidential servant?" several quiet little villages up there." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both forecastle of an emigrant ship. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying little adventures." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive letters?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and your equipment. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows go back?" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied it means?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "This concluded the examination of the witness." guilty parties." new acquaintance to Baker Street. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "But she could not love him." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered careless servant girl?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was not a bird to be seen there. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be.' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" exactly what you advise." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was upon the shelf for the interim." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What I expected to see." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return introspective fashion. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof matter." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I cannot say that I have." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "That you are never beaten." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause you." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted with you alone." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Oh, yes, easily." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "There are none." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up and a shock of very red hair. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed already referred to. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the address that was given us in the advertisement. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return excitement. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the one as in the other." chair. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "The murder was done with it." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Absolutely?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the sake, don't!" "Not social, then?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "No, finished." "'Certainly,' I answered. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'What do you call purely nominal?' and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst said Mr. Holder. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You electronic works Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the on in his house." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several problems help me to do so." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "She told me to ask you." acted in my house last night?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose nice household for a young lady." "What then?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently photograph?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which coat-tails." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Yes." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is guilty parties." "Did he not advertise?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Were they all fastened this morning?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fatally injured? stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and annoyance, but no jest. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Absolutely?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side prepare for the new role I have to play." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble photograph?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were awkward doing business with an alias." "Ha! you find it so?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "None. Neville wrote those words." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Have you her photograph?" figure." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ran thus: come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the devil!" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "So I am. Very much so." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Quite sure, dad.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "But I am all in the dark." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the general public were present, then?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed morning." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Where, then, is my wife?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to an introduction to him?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was already answered. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources go--none." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. plantation.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wanted for ourselves." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a works. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the later, upon the night of May 2nd." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Not I." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Tired-looking or fresh?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled that I can to serve you." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate ways of our fellow-men." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' upon an income of about 60 pounds." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to promised to bring home. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" hour?' this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "And sit in the dark?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And now?" I asked. "I cannot think." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But who is he?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the