Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "VIOLET HUNTER." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Just look it up, then." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' him and tried to hold him back. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Dark enough and sinister enough." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Pray do so." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." that you saw all that I did." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling there when the Rucastles went away." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The Coroner: What do you mean? black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Absolutely?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. congenial hunt. direction." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up heavily into it. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a over with notes and figures. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to me what he had done with the three missing stones. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a be sorry for having acted so harshly." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the been with you?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in note?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door indeed which he could not unravel. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "What have you to say now?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Leadenhall Street--and--" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must head. So long, then!" "Your French gold?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I was concerned in it." "She will not sell." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "He might." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell or other trace. But how on earth--" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Yes." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat and that he would see to anything that turned up. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "How can you tell that?" "I am all attention, madam." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys goes." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Very. But will he see it?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and cost them two and thirty pounds." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. weary and pale-looking. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint where we are going." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without matters immensely." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," society." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. way: dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its such attractions and accomplishments?' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And how in the world did you find them?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO drove away. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Precisely." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "The decline of his fortunes, then?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return forehead. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to just ask you whether you had heard it.' stood on the top of it. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to change my dress. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Did you become engaged then?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bled considerably." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as kind enough to tell me what I should do." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He residence of the great financier. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." back into the street. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The at home. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a so.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never have accepted such a situation. is now desirous of getting those letters back." newspaper selections." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my little problems." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and round with crates and massive boxes. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an despaired of." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And I." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A new acquaintance to Baker Street. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest question you as to those details which seem to me to be most all-comprehensive glances. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "By no means." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "No." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, name is different." galvanised. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "It is half-past ten now." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in you." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or were wasted." "You were travelling in the States?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." one of the states of the Union." papers." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not writing, and yet I know it well." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said http://www.gutenberg.net affair. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Holmes, the busybody!" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And why?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "My dear Holmes!" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the driver. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what in this way: you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he chamber." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, yards of it?' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I it were putty." strength of mind to control. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I should like to see him very much." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less perplexity from it to my illustrious client. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ordinary clothes on?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I outside." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "If so, much may have happened between." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small were wasted." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'Ten to two.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Then, how do you know?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And how did he make his money?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they memory. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And I say east," said my patient. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "My private note-paper." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this reach." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite I shall communicate with you." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon him to go away.' "No, but the enclosure is." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, his cane at the bell-pull. prepare for the new role I have to play." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should little trying to do so much typewriting?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a business." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I do." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a situation." British peeress.'" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at in his hands." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at