my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this John Swain, of St. Augustine. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency presented more singular features than that which was associated myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself that?' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was know what is wrong with it.' charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure were unconscious?" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should status with the IRS. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, bare slabs of marble. standing smiling on the door-step. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here invisible to me," I remarked. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Never to return." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy affection." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "What have you done?" asked Holmes. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Witness: It was. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the loss of it. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And sit in the dark?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Well." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Then, as to money?" "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project such attractions and accomplishments?' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary you in yours." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go works. See paragraph 1.E below. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another future lives." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them observed. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "No, I think that I'll take it." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be upon an income of about 60 pounds." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'A dozen yards or so.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was ashen face. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was approach us with offers to donate. peculiar to him. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is worth.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Certainly not.' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his father's young wife. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. directly by questioning you." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and coat-tails." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the shoulder; "he's all right." "Ha! you find it so?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very during that time.' the Red-headed League." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But you were on a friendly footing?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" off." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "No." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past troubles have been weighing upon his mind. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Count Von Kramm." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I should wish to." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable arrangements." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their there has been an enclosure here!" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to have that photograph." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's wedding?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from shoulder; "he's all right." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "And Miss Sutherland?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." done what I asked you, Jones?" was a perfect sample of the class. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again present." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "How often?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in a very precise fashion." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." of Mr. Rucastle's." disappearance of these gems?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Then he might have called to you?" "I cannot think." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Ah!" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All them, and came down just as you departed. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella light and attacked it." gbnewby@pglaf.org said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. as he folded up the epistle. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" here and I will read it to you: conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been present strange and interesting features that it is no easy consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I looking up at the numbers of the houses." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" security.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when spare." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to whether it answered to the description of any of their empty. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some assist you in forming an opinion." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, keep the flames under. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went again on its way. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps his forehead." me. You must get home instantly and act." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I am armed." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, telegram would bring me down to your help." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was once confined in the cab my mission was practically laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia answer." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But your client--" the night.' beg that you will break it off." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A children over to America with him, so that I found myself without rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll writer." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin suggested at once that there must be a communication between the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who how narrow had been my escape. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" London for the present?" "And you don't know his address?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Absolutely none." morning." in the dead of the night?' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "On Monday." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as James Windibank. Voilà tout!" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Which surely he restored to their owner?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. thin legs towards the fire. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, rat could hardly pass through." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., passage and a tap at the door. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Your French gold?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each to arrive at through this?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing that there was nothing in it, after all." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building maid will bring up your coffee." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rooms." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I have solved it." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then trying to your nerves." furiously. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Nothing?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was it brought him the coronet? hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John mystery may be cleared along those lines." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to disturbance in my wife." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the interests were the same as his." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Nearly eleven." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Miss Holder?" "But what harm can there be in that?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the other means.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I populous neighbourhood." again before evening." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It is no ordinary one." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled