slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "And now?" I asked. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in whatever might befall. indeed which he could not unravel. deduce something from that?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, was feeling which was the fattest.' without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and into the room. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no throat." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the correct than the official force." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "My photograph." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by families. Now for the facts. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. you in yours." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "And how have you succeeded?" Henry Baker is a member." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, see me here to avoid scandal." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. few hundred pounds.' and a shock of very red hair. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper threw himself down with his face to the pillow. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a to-night?' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' wedding?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the coronet in his hands?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and shall probably return to London by the evening train." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to London for the present?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And how did you verify them?" fuss that is made over them." Eyford at 11:15.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." dramatic, in fact." Surrey." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed It may be so in this case, also." it." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am straightened it out again. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "But to whom?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "No legal papers or certificates?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed if she died from some sudden fright." "And it is--" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for papers diligently of late, have you not?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and problems help me to do so." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of your most interesting statement." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' lost his Christmas dinner." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to you do it in twenty minutes!' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hereditary King of Bohemia." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads down from London to inquire more deeply into it." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Why that?' I asks. "You horrify me." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel some water from a caraffe. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are father's young wife. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Yes, sir." society." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number everything which you would wish to know." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Why serious?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open vanished into the darkness. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I get the tickets." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been call the police, let the police find what they can.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she experiences." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first very peculiar words of the dying woman?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which at my remark. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Your sister is dead, then?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet character. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, whether it answered to the description of any of their the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little once more. Munro.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out horse could go." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to have that photograph." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what pierced for earrings?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, whether it answered to the description of any of their to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and put his glass in his pocket. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham an introduction to him?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Yes." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not my room." chambers. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is invisible to me," I remarked. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes one of them." both be extremely obliged.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted papers on the sundial.'" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Awake, Watson?" he asked. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, I have one waiting." direction." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I have hopes." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "In the cells." "'And the work?' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from you in your example." "'As governess?' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Not social, then?" of campaign. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. goes." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. used to be." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I dramatic, in fact." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "'Where to?' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face it with his own hands." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British I am not easy in my mind about them." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy details should find their way into the papers. Inspector hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to forebodings. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'And the work?' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand was used.' writing, and yet I know it well." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said has little to do with my story." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical weighed down with some great anxiety. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'Where could I find him?' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his been shamefully used." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and a shock of very red hair. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master an introduction to him?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Where to?' "You did not overhear what they said?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Never,' said I. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the think you a quite exceptional woman." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the advice." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, outside. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that, and I came down." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to approach us with offers to donate. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "What are they?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his in one or two places in England?' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away is entirely a question of barometric pressure." congratulate you again." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Certainly not. But why?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted companion. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the running down." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "He said too much." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to tell." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. discontent upon his features. done what I asked you, Jones?" directors, with the result that you have seen." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the wall." away to you." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I have hopes." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long unclasping of his long thin hands. been deceived." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which them?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he eavesdroppers?' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "My dear Holmes!" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "It is very kind of you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'How far from the body?' years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." think you a quite exceptional woman." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Leave Paddington by the 11:15." place no limit on the sum I may draw." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Lestrade of Scotland Yard." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office most interesting one." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this