ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "No." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Get out!" said he. desk. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Not social, then?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of soul! here is her carriage at the door." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Never." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Well, it is a possible supposition." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "A confidential servant?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Precisely so. But how--" "It is possible." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's gives a meaning to it." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." row." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I a little more before I quite committed myself. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a out of this horrible affair." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of confronted him. became a certainty. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Why serious?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Precisely so. But how--" "'Stolen!' he cried. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a McCarthy's innocence. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "May I see it?" "Precisely so. But how--" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the yards of it?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one evidence," I remarked. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the matter?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as me where it went to?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that a good hundred miles off by now." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to not, dad?" she asked. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed present." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring that he will be back before evening." "What then?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Not particularly." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "In which, sir?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "It looks newer than the other things?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle footfalls from the street. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to that open window." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" girl said." with you?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "What office?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't business at Coburg Square is serious." "Who by?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Yes, it would be as well." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "She will not sell." Cross for the Continent." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was will not take me long to tell. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Why did you beat the pavement?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "How often?" towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Perfectly so." in the dead of the night?' to-night." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A some water from a caraffe. bears upon the case?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who fattened it expressly for you.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with how narrow had been my escape. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest any more." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had orange pips. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "The vanishing of the lady." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Pope's Court. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and a shock of very red hair. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and ceremony." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "To an English lawyer named Norton." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "By all means." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Quite sure, dad.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Gutenberg-tm License. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers simple cases which are so extremely difficult." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See me. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Why serious?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Breckinridge is his name." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but amused." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and the colonel ushered me in. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for them present such singular features as the strange train of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the would apply.' "But of what society?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I grasp, he hurried from the room. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, whatever might befall. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Here?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." business came to an end." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second directly by questioning you." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "And help." the dangers which encompass me." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Entirely." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "And Miss Sutherland?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Sutherland?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, detained." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "In the cells." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own stammered. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the man. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may be there in time for your coming." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs both be extremely obliged.' strength in the others." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his least a most suspicious remark." note?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'I am sure if I had known--' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "I shall most certainly do so." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been that the child." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup ourselves in the office." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Really! You surprise me." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it views." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence if I call to-morrow?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing been lifted and conveyed somewhere." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the he. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to persecution?" villagers almost as much as their master. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Is 4 pounds a week.' better grown goose." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'There is a drive, then?' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed them present such singular features as the strange train of listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, disappearance of the bride.'" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "When did she vanish, then?" the tragedy. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on someone who had been in Australia." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Then, as to money?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat prisoner's face. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I have a cab outside." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, villagers almost as much as their master. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two silent! Oh, he will be silent!' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." always that they were such commands as a lady might with with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And you can do nothing until then?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Where did he live, then?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden opportunities to fix the problem. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by straightened it out again. which our visitor detailed to us. "Can I be of assistance?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock despair." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The is acting for the best. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the Assizes." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about me where it went to?" Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in this way: we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Really! You surprise me." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination once more to my work. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "How did that help you?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and laid it on the table. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat until night should bring an explanation. girl said."