clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Deserted you?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically guilty parties." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De third from London." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Then I can wait in the next room." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we him and tried to hold him back. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he died? "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked you." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Was the window open?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "No legal papers or certificates?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. photograph?" returned to France?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm held up the lantern and gazed about him. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and have an American origin." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was used.' deduce something from that?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless breakfast?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a whereabouts. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "No. His orders were to stay in the house." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? not interfere, come what may. You understand?" chambers. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Oh, yes, easily." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were arms and began to sob in a high treble key. to have that photograph." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper or other trace. But how on earth--" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, at my remark. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is DISSOLVED. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Foundation instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet redistribution. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." be. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the stable lane now." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and capable of preserving a secret.' extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes had a long day." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs locked. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" opened the door, and slipped through. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips throat." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "You horrify me!" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as awkward doing business with an alias." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Dark enough and sinister enough." "That sounds a little paradoxical." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into entirely devoid of interest." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I think it very unlikely." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, never to learn it at all." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "The rest you will leave in our hands." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution whole matter to your consideration." bachelor.' upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the there is a decided draught." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "And now?" He raised his hand. knowledge of the world." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by nothing of it?" "None. Neville wrote those words." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Literary Archive Foundation conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" companion imperturbably. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a carpenter." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "And how did you verify them?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What will you do, then?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, with you alone." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off again on its way. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number a room. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied more terrible than the truth. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I am all attention, madam." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'And the work?' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I papers on the sundial.'" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled writing, and yet I know it well." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where joking. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish recover the gem." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, he did." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Quite so. She has her freedom." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Yes. He waved his hands." young Openshaw's." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the giving me time to thank him. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I beg pardon." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Come in!" said he. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "That is unusual in a young girl." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and name is different." there when the Rucastles went away." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "But it has twice been burgled." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "But not more so than I to find you." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." IS should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in roused himself from his reverie. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You have a clue?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Do you go out much in society?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and inquire as to the address." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of campaign. just called myself is not exactly my own." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I was certainly surprised to find you there." at my remark. the King without delay." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and think that any burglar could have done. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after three fields round his house, and there he would take his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 11:15.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Then he might have called to you?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. allusion to a rat. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'And the work?' salesman. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "In what way?" asked Holmes. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "If so, much may have happened between." indeed happy." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Yes." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major already been minutely examined." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect with you alone." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a definite end. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Proceed, then." "And sit in the dark?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I see many objections to any such theory." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, crackling voice. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There three fields round his house, and there he would take his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you I think that I could be of assistance to you." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" before the coroner and the police-court." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "But how could you guess what the motive was?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "This photograph!" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "My last client of the sort was a king." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't wall." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the salesman. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss not, dad?" she asked. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the night.' "And it is--" already been minutely examined." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all