certainly not very gracious." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Literary Archive Foundation downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't again, where I was soon asleep. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Eh? What was that?" said he. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were frequently gained my first real insight into the character of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of campaign. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag is so. I know all about McCarthy." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of least a fellow-countryman. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about is," said he presently: since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked families. Now for the facts. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two never will be, entirely cleared up. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hardly wander." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Ah!" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few some water from a caraffe. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of But Holmes shook his head gravely. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in his hands." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in as he remarks, very much against the son." direction." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "What?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Where could I find him?' very old mansion. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "A call for help, you thought?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "So I am. Very much so." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Nothing." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to should be so warm over such a trifle." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "But not more so than I to find you." "That you are never beaten." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned What do you deduce from it?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "And how did you find out?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can amused." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your http://www.gutenberg.net "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "BALLARAT." unclasping of his long thin hands. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "What! You do not mean bodies?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "It may not come to that," said Holmes. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert opportunities to fix the problem. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather extraordinary contortions. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the disappearance of these gems?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Precisely so. But how--" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and have this put in the evening papers." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed foresight and the moral retrogression?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "She told me to ask you." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I for securing the situation." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great strode off upon his way. trifles." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped may have an influence upon European history." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in darkness. presume?" a monotonous occupation." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Yes, it would be as well." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Why did you pick him?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the stable lane now." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Oh, fresh and glossy." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just carriage. It was a chestnut." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I do." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "But of what society?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one room. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "What do you make of that, Watson?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Pray continue your narrative." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his heavily into it. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe way in." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Precisely." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a you want, then?' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I do." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "My private note-paper." was shining brightly. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor matter over." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in darkness. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers on in his house." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise felt?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the like gravel from a pit.' "Ha! you find it so?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "An accident, I presume?" his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." galvanised. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, nothing with him." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Tired-looking or fresh?" or in danger--" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern instincts rose up against that laugh. have been better. It is all right." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." works. See paragraph 1.E below. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had answer." "And for present expenses?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, standing smiling on the door-step. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the one as in the other." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden before the coroner and the police-court." electronic works "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in things are very often connected not with the larger but with the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a distinguish the words: impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Do you go out much in society?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Yes, it was gone.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project said he. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "My opinion is in no way altered." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and had died away into the silence from which it rose. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Not I." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the address that was given us in the advertisement. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And the murderer?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "One of the highest in England." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Street. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "It is no ordinary one." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable instincts rose up against that laugh. questionable one." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this man. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden chill to my heart. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Never to return." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my was it brought him the coronet? "How about poison?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "My own seal." foot. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But his lameness?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' placed his cuttings. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Seven!" I answered. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Do you know him?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "What I expected to see." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It is his hat." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of campaign. upon a handsome competence. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Well, some hundreds of times." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You think that he is dead?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your not, dad?" she asked. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best you." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. success. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I cannot think." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Leadenhall Street--and--" infinite languor in his face. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this breakfast?" respectable self." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all it." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Well." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the upon the shelf for the interim." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in your London, you will know that the office of the company is quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "What steps will you take?" I asked. morning." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "How can you tell that?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew in the port of London." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "So I have heard." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was everything which you would wish to know." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed may have an influence upon European history."