temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I nodded again. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Very. But will he see it?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not question you as to those details which seem to me to be most occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Dirty?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and depend upon your compliance." "'Yes, it was gone.' "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" speckled band?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I people in all walks of life. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Dark enough and sinister enough." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Here?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called desk. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me sentimental considerations in the background which would induce out." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who pity, because in other respects you would really have done very fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Ten will be early enough." call the police, let the police find what they can.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back have accepted such a situation. "She walked into the breakfast-room." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier bird I ate is country bred." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. intrusion of other matters." said he. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, trying to your nerves." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "How often?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in about here speaks of his kindness to him." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the off." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "So I am. Very much so." "But not more so than I to find you." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, miles off. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my child?' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "No." "And from a noble client?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" States. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "In what way?" asked Holmes. to-night." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and presume?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Precisely." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in be there in time for your coming." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Very murderous indeed." "What have you to say now?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have out." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, made him keep the appointment." room had already been engaged for us. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the Friday. Was it to be in church?" his forehead." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to have been novel and of interest." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "May I see it?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! use an arc-and-compass breastpin." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but said he, "my real name is James Ryder." face and glided from the room. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, sooner or later she must fall a victim. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Again Holmes raved in the air. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" fashion which was peculiar to him. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true acted in my house last night?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'I shall certainly be there.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "And what did you learn from him?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project national property. I was determined that the law should have its and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "But we can't all be." "'And the work?' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "And why?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Where, indeed?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "That is possible." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Where, then?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." father's young wife. in darkness. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite chance." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were way in everything. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, was a lad." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they see a sister of mine apply for." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a sake, don't!" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Holmes' room. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his hurried by. will take you up to see the machine.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sooner or later she must fall a victim. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and back into the street. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his It may be so in this case, also." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. he bowed and left the room without another word. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. into the room. crime." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to definite end. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the started for the Temple to see my husband. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were any." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." there!' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as words came to my lips. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has name is different." arrangements." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it him and tried to hold him back. to change my dress. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided it." good-night and bustled off upon her way. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I was mad--insane." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the very morning of the wedding." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a said I. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Leave Paddington by the 11:15." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to you." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my posted to-day." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had whether it answered to the description of any of their extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Murdered?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw brought there to personate someone, and the real person is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose gbnewby@pglaf.org "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the loss of it. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Precisely so. But how--" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And did you observe any change in her then?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 most interesting one." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I beg pardon." himself to hunt down. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman other means.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque there has been an enclosure here!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "My Mary? Impossible!" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I read it out to me." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the best of training." prison!" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I see many objections to any such theory." lectures into a series of tales." works. See paragraph 1.E below. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say photograph?" "10th. John Swain cleared. letters?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. you for a few hours?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his he bowed and left the room without another word. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study a suggestive one." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards way in everything. "'Certainly not. But why?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "And how in the world did you find them?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, keep the flames under. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault was once confined in the cab my mission was practically separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an I was concerned in it." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who reach." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the himself to hunt down. "But we can't all be." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which I was concerned in it." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Then the page we have seen--" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H But Holmes shook his head gravely. bell. Holmes whistled. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the