"Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Never." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce crime." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small your sleep?' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has hour." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an business." "Where, then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did stammered. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Gutenberg-tm License. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "An enemy?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt towards the blaze. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington keep the flames under. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault a monotonous occupation." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And you thought he was pulled back?" you." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Yes.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down prison!" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the even so self-evident a thing as that." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution forebodings. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here not come at once?" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have this as likely?" "But not more so than I to find you." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a already referred to. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "But to whom?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the coronet in his hand?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. gives a meaning to it." "The gentleman I describe." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "No, my brougham is waiting." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton pressing in one house as in another. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found this as likely?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my your room." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something which we had just quitted. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" redistribution. "That also I could fathom." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And your mother is alive?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that went to the Alpha were town bred." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "What then?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What, then?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. best detective that ever lived. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of chance." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, corner of the building. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I am sure." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Yes, but only for you and me." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "What shall I do?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the date of his supposed suicide." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You outbreak?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Munro.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. them?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "To the police?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in more terrible than the truth. that threaten you." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Miss Holder?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was not a bird to be seen there. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Won't it ring?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he future lives." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, instincts rose up against that laugh. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the locked." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as during which he might have communicated with his friend the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And what did you see?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis intrusion of other matters." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I following enigmatical notices: "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm that there was nothing in it, after all." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in least a fellow-countryman. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, persecution?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is wanted for ourselves." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "In heaven's name, what for?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our just ask you whether you had heard it.' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have reach." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Nearly eleven." "I cannot tell." have been better. It is all right." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you any little problem which you may submit to me." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "To an end?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" invisible to me," I remarked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to-night?" I asked. might have a private word with us. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was himself to tell his story. "That is possible." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and all of them with the keenest interest. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his feature." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security have one." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "We have tried and failed." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg persecution?" "Then I am your man." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it." rooms." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue which our visitor detailed to us. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "It is very kind of you." father's young wife. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide lost nothing by them." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Not him." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was trifles." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on several quiet little villages up there." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At suddenly upon us." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Do you know him?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile impression behind it as though a window had gently closed we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and have this put in the evening papers." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. out of this horrible affair." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Yes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Ten to two.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a shall use the carriage to-night." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "10th. John Swain cleared. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom because she had spent so short a time in this country that she are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And what did you learn from him?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any have I gained?" Street. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is obstinate." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Ample." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Breckinridge is his name." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I guilty parties." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Could he throw no light?" my former friend and companion. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser ordinary clothes on?" the tragedy. for and were ordered to this address. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very DISSOLVED. I nodded again. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It is his hat." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small look upon these things in a different way." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "By no means." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to photograph a cabinet?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the devil!" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Then I can wait in the next room." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the meant it for the best. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "But she will refuse." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying not come at once?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Certainly, madam." was used.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. everything which you would wish to know." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I shall be delighted." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Dr. Gregory B. Newby answered with a sidelong glance. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bird of prey. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Arthur Conan Doyle his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no is now desirous of getting those letters back." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood annoyance, but no jest. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Married! When?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our handed it to him. prepare for the new role I have to play." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "But how could you guess what the motive was?" gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'I shall certainly be there.' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting guilty one." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "I should like to see him very much." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the coronet in his hand?"