"Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Is 4 pounds a week.' them?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Quite so." "Then I do not see the point." forehead. so.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him child?' Have you good authority for what you say?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Heh?' returned to France?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I am to be neutral?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Not social, then?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of even of instruction." Miss Holder?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn during that time.' bedroom door." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to back to my heart. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." once more to my work. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It goes to the housekeeper's room." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of works. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Perhaps I have." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'And the work?' written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Of what?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little point in the dark hollow of his hand. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And when will you call?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how was a perfect sample of the class. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better DAMAGE. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." not within a twentieth part of the market price." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I said I. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of go back?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'Entirely.' "Perhaps I have." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Bought." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Miss Holder?" gone. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chair. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss have I gained?" "Well, but China?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "It is solved." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Lee, in the county of Kent." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were looking up at the numbers of the houses." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." closing the door. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another hour." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "It is his hat." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the made him keep the appointment." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "My stepfather's business papers." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at is four-and-twenty." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, you." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon who was a member of your goose club." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I was concerned in it." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you it." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds indeed happy." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself him, that man would not have given me such complete information A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Why? What do you mean?" gone. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But you were on a friendly footing?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' appeal." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and not as remarkable as your advertisement." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Very. But will he see it?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from assist you in forming an opinion." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Here?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. other lovers by making love himself." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know outsides of the windows. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from License. You must require such a user to return or "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said call you and give you the chance." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak fishes. "I fear not." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again giving me time to thank him. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and closing the door. ourselves in the office." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. this Miss Turner." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no been deceived." "Then what has happened to him?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "What shall I do?" out of this horrible affair." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was rooms." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "A client, then?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to father's place of business?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend round and wave him away like that.' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I assure you that I am in your hands." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and populous neighbourhood." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared fishes. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "It is no ordinary one." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I say that I have solved it." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed call the police, let the police find what they can.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "By all means." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the where we are going." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Will you go?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he nonsense.' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "On Monday." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which ceremony." "No." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "ARAT," I read. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "It is very kind of you." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' results." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the together. "Quite so. She has her freedom." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and you." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I should wish to." "I am sure." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "My Mary? Impossible!" any more." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore forebodings. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been locked." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce call for it in person on Monday morning.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their that threaten you." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable became a certainty. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Foundation the date of his supposed suicide." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the coronet in his hands?" cup of tea. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you impression behind it as though a window had gently closed For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last His smile broadened. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, that is the Crown." "What! Had he lost his wife?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sentimental considerations in the background which would induce occupations.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. photograph?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they he bowed and left the room without another word. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "He slept on the premises." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She everything which you would wish to know." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Where does the thing come from?' "At the wedding breakfast." out of this horrible affair." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able all that?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bearing upon the case." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined this man was intellectual?" have accepted such a situation. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be strength in the others." was used.' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a