said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of do.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of three fields round his house, and there he would take his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting was feeling which was the fattest.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you I shall communicate with you." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled companion quietly. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my For additional contact information: "And the cigar-holder?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we bill, which interests me deeply." that, and I came down." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shoulder. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you done what I asked you, Jones?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I telegram would bring me down to your help." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. cigars in the box." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," me. You must get home instantly and act." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to a light-house. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few front of the hall door has given its name to the place. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to affect your life." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us breakfast?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'Where to?' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "What is it, then--a fire?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I cannot as yet see any connection." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." photograph?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what so.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual yet." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is second window is the one that I jumped from." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of what do you think they found in the pockets?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the have got?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, taking in every detail of the apartment. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I don't believe it." for securing the situation." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was chambers. that he will be back before evening." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "How did he come?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Then I shall certainly come." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and all of them with the keenest interest. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless My friend smiled. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and no precautions can guard against." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "He slept on the premises." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'And what salary do you ask?' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to shoulder; "he's all right." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of there has been an enclosure here!" "I don't believe it." been with you?" "About a month then." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and foot. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. there." rose-bushes. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the side-table." at my own good fortune. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "He slept on the premises." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said affair. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came legal crime." charged with?" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "It is half-past ten now." "In which, sir?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a were wasted." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Henry Baker is a member." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of the vacancies.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable window when the police appeared." "I will get her to show me." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to tell." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an digesting their breakfasts at home." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Certainly." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this south, for the country is more deserted there." writing, and yet I know it well." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by highroad, where all traces were lost. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And Irene Adler?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the certainly do as you advise." Countess of Morcar's?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he charged with?" "And how did you verify them?" which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "But what will you do?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and persecution?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way likely to be some crony of the landlady's." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, all." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the unclasping of his long thin hands. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "That's no good." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able an introduction to him?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "VIOLET HUNTER." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I think that I had better go, Holmes." business came to an end." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Lee, in the county of Kent." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I for and were ordered to this address. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the new acquaintance to Baker Street. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Do you know him?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon habit of advancing money.' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. article?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or copied or distributed: of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I have a cab outside." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Were they all fastened this morning?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "No, I had a dozen." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lids now and glanced across at his visitor. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home it." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "It was a confession," I ejaculated. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "And now?" I asked. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted astonishment. cigars in the box." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to tell." "Proceed, then." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any know that the truth is known." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It must be recovered." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be companion. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And why?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he asked. the very morning of the wedding." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite over his head with a sweet womanly caress. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said is four-and-twenty." them?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It was an hour's good drive." he died? shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the ceiling. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be how narrow had been my escape. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar have been better. It is all right." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Very truly yours, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You forget that I know nothing about it." weapon." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, manager. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could neither fascinating nor artistic." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "One horse?" interjected Holmes. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows did not hear it also.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "I warn you that they are very incomplete." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I discontent upon his features. you in yours." "How about poison?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "10th. John Swain cleared. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. you want, then?' children over to America with him, so that I found myself without initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the said he. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "That is easily got." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day will be renamed. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious furiously. October 9, 1890. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such considering the formidable letters which were received by himself a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the devil!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty woven round him. showing my impatience. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began