public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a should be taken.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange have not had my rubber." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Where to?" the ceiling. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual invisible to me," I remarked. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Holmes rather sternly. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'Certainly,' I answered. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the round with crates and massive boxes. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the strong and stiff." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post congenial hunt. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he have I gained?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My could gather together that I was able to avert another public into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Gutenberg-tm License. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The together. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, you." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and files of the old papers, following the future career of every for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I of the vacancies.' Countess of Morcar's?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "And did you observe any change in her then?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert matter over." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Eyford at 11:15.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and suddenly upon us." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "And the murderer?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding quickly through a disagreeable task. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It is his hat." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "You did not overhear what they said?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Won't it ring?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to stalked out of the room. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of never to learn it at all." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "She told me to ask you." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sound at heart." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, becomes even more simple." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "It surprised me." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at morning." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, correct than the official force." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "And Miss Sutherland?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Thank you. Pray proceed." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" past. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Very good.' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of receipt of the work. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' to arrive at through this?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "You horrify me." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the little opening for the ventilator is." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in brandy and water within his reach. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But disturbance in my wife." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "What, then, did Peterson do?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Yes, it was gone.' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each face and glided from the room. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "The knees of his trousers." together. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon that I can to serve you." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'And the work?' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had at once, for I have only half an hour." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "You horrify me." to have been novel and of interest." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of door?" bill, which interests me deeply." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'And what salary do you ask?' "I will do it." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "'Then let me do so?' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Could he throw no light?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in them, and came down just as you departed. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible completely overtopped every other consideration that we both overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the together. we went to search for him, face downward in a little thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Look there!" said he. seven miles from Eyford Station.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful companion imperturbably. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, conclusions. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man business." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am main points of my analysis." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'I am sure if I had known--' This is what he says: which our visitor detailed to us. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the of the one which your family is now devouring." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The rest you will leave in our hands." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." said I. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was few hundred pounds.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And how in the world did you find them?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Holmes' room. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "No bad?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and put his glass in his pocket. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "She told me to ask you." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence me upon any point which I do not make clear." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Seven!" I answered. "But the mystery?" one of them." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the have been better. It is all right." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a lectures into a series of tales." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of congratulate you again." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the words came to my lips. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down back into the street. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the so-precious time, but come!' during which he might have communicated with his friend the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang she has been waylaid. There has been no result." security.' consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Not particularly." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love him. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And how have you succeeded?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The begin with, and I had not got mine yet." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "You horrify me." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a good hundred miles off by now." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained overpowering excitement and concern. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker gone. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' you understand?" "Here?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and I shall be with you presently." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his your most interesting statement." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very existence." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just tightly behind him. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," hands. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." next day. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand correct than the official force." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "On Monday." desk. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the your room." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house I shall communicate with you." intrusion of other matters." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "But not more so than I to find you." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Which are?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'I have already given you my word.' DISSOLVED. "Breckinridge is his name." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one disappearance of the bride.'" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." against a man in the prime of life?" client, rising. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing felt the room to be a little close.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at detective. "10th. John Swain cleared. nothing of it?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "But what harm can there be in that?" mysterious end." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and capable of preserving a secret.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive His name is Francis Prosper." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. stepfather?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "'Where could I find him?' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, question. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Ten to two.' shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that, and I came down." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case habit of advancing money.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes character. "Not in a good cause." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Holmes' face clouded over.