Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be married her." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And your father? Did you tell him?" obstinate." that you wished to speak to me?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that of note-paper. It read in this fashion: nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It's nothing of the kind." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind chair. out of this horrible affair." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at remarked. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "She will not sell." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Edgeware Road. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I am following you closely," I answered. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "But your client--" his eyes and forehead. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "VIOLET HUNTER." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind speckled band?" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "In answer to an advertisement." "'Very good.' "It looks newer than the other things?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had in this note: "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully that "Dark enough and sinister enough." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What can you not understand?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see soul! here is her carriage at the door." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such look dissatisfied." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Quite sure, dad.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It surprised me." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the devil!" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who extraordinary contortions. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Where, then, is my wife?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and unprofitable." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I say it is." "Stolen." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for he bowed and left the room without another word. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad unclasping of his long thin hands. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me drove away. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I mystery may be cleared along those lines." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It is possible." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. in my life." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his eyes and forehead. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "You will not go there first?" touch that coronet?' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I fear not." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "None. Neville wrote those words." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" better in every way that they should make their position a little has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Never.' man. papers on the sundial.'" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. one of them." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "What do you mean?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the Red-headed League." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she yourselves in at night?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the child." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the fact, we may call it conclusive." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with that I may have something better before very many minutes are very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the unprofitable." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "From his hat?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." closely." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "How often?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "And help." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the dangers which encompass me." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "My photograph." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly tension within him. "I do." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Which dealer's?' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was here and I will read it to you: better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious late." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and laid it on the table. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and are, and they are waiting for us." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lectures into a series of tales." "'And what salary do you ask?' all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my gigantic client. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may charged with?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Very good.' already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Was he the only applicant?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time situation." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ways of our fellow-men." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of your billet.' 1.E.9. "No, my brougham is waiting." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. have accepted such a situation. stammered. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Then I shall certainly come." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. father's young wife. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied be. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, who was a member of your goose club." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should words came to my lips. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he ran thus: on in his house." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "How did you trace it, then?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable asked with his eyes open. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his fortune, and I went back to pa. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it one's self under obligations.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Can I be of assistance?" "And that is--" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "How did he come?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being individual and becomes the badge of a society." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Watson," he said cordially. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Which surely he restored to their owner?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be not, dad?" she asked. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "But how?" "Of Friday, June 19th." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving your bag." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a who was a member of your goose club." interest. They are important, you understand, without being that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into companion. "I see no marks." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "An enemy?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would persecution?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we been able to understand it, in a very few words. wedding?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost humiliation." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the morning." bearing upon the case." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the are windows in it, of course?" prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Eyford." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, but China?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Your French gold?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, man. I know him from the photograph." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, populous neighbourhood." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to chill to my heart. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable criminal. We have already had experience of such." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons will find little credit to be gained out of this case." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was This is what he says: feature." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I the King without delay." in the hope of finding them." whether it answered to the description of any of their As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strength of mind to control. "Yes." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "And you don't know his address?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come me. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day at a side door. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "About a month then." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed carpenter." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the