should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Did you become engaged then?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a could gather together that I was able to avert another public glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Have you her photograph?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. British peeress.'" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Have you good authority for what you say?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom footfalls from the street. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for crime. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "No, my brougham is waiting." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while it with his own hands." waste of energy." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another come either from the window or the door. My attention was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," salesman. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." to-night." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your your co-operation." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And leave your case unfinished?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I am not easy in my mind about them." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Watson," he said cordially. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'About the same.' past. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in said I. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed upon the sideboard." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day placed his cuttings. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "And when will you call?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do it means?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress neither fascinating nor artistic." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your silent! Oh, he will be silent!' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and desk. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Yes, it was gone.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know was not a bird to be seen there. III. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "By no means." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. over here." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And who is her maid?" a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were upon an income of about 60 pounds." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "He slept on the premises." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "It is a murder, then?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that this Miss Turner." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Heh?' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fat-encircled eyes. The summons was a brief and urgent one. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She shag which I had seen upon the previous night. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he them, and came down just as you departed. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It came here." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that you wished to speak to me?' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of there!' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to-night?" I asked. "You did not overhear what they said?" page at http://pglaf.org that threaten you." "Yes, all." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and whole matter to your consideration." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I say that I have solved it." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'I have heard so.' matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among not fit the lock." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? point in the dark hollow of his hand. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fasten all the windows?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' his grey eyes. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Did your wife hear all this?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the stable lane now." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Nearly eleven." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It surprised me." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I think that it is very probable." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a stammered. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, province." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own where Mr. Fordham shows you.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter back alive. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "BALLARAT." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, address. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Street. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But I am all in the dark." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. bonnet, and went out." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed do.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune not as remarkable as your advertisement." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Then I am your man." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger trying to your nerves." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Thank you. And your address?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "No sign of it?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' room. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Pray do so." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Come in!" said he. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "When did she vanish, then?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the indeed happy." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," knowledge of the world." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I will not look." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a astonishment. friends, not even his own brother. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to over part of the map. "What do you read?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Stolen, then." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Murdered?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have wedding?" McCarthy's innocence. this Miss Turner." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "It is half-past ten now." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for became a certainty. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But business at Coburg Square is serious." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other cheerful." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Most admirably.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was test if we have an answer to our advertisement." it means?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers weapon." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But what will you do?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'Then let me do so?' "He is still with you, I presume?" "'You cannot say what it was?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony was once confined in the cab my mission was practically prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken him, that man would not have given me such complete information some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet good for you to do.' "Your French gold?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the detained." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "None. Neville wrote those words." of the way of danger. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with you?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had observed. "Yes, that is the Crown." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Do you receive much company?" he asked. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. investigation." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our all that?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We side. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man recover the gem." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense there in twenty minutes." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. 1.F. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, that is the Crown." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Yes, only one." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though points in connection with it which never have been, and probably wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Then you may entirely rely on me." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stepfather?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If could not account in any way for the presence of the missing think you a quite exceptional woman." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "You are all wrong." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" she to prove their authenticity?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The murder was done with it." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Then let me do so?' say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with have been better. It is all right." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 said I. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and woman who has had her own way to make in the world. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged status with the IRS. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "But your client--" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and laid it on the table. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time once more for Briony Lodge. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not