one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Very much so." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Then I can wait in the next room." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. unprofitable." in this way: succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, had a long day." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, together. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm mysterious end." the ceiling. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Very much so." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would guilty parties." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such such person." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be said he, "my real name is James Ryder." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Then I can wait in the next room." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by test if we have an answer to our advertisement." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Ample.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by everything which you would wish to know." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All wedding?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture like gravel from a pit.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Oh, fresh and glossy." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but lamp. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "None." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There death." horse could go." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank taking in every detail of the apartment. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'It is locked up,' I answered. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Married! When?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Never.' Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual she to prove their authenticity?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I have a cab outside." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then I can wait in the next room." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Then the page we have seen--" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "A confidential servant?" other lovers by making love himself." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that putting in the horse. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the very morning of the wedding." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I should wish to." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of it with the greatest attention. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then what has happened to him?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." here." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the ashen face. "'It is locked up,' I answered. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down him nearly every evening." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I don't believe it." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, writer." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "My photograph." "A greater distance to travel." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into in the hope of finding them." hopeless attempt at recovering them." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the running down." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the one's self under obligations.' gives a meaning to it." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And your mother is alive?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round round with crates and massive boxes. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and inquire as to the address." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the little opening for the ventilator is." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "What office?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, wedding?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as promised to bring home. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." know that the truth is known." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I will do it." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at whereabouts. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Cross for the Continent." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Nothing?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hardly wander." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. name is different." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I forehead. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout answer." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Bought." security.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of your young ladies.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending bonnet, and went out." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' the roots. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in that I can to serve you." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "That is possible." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See foresight and the moral retrogression?" "There is the writing." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the roots. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went appeared upon the scene." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "You have it, sir, just as it happened." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the inner apartment." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father 11:15.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He hurried by. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "And I." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Sutherland. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my deduce something from that?" colour had been driven from his face. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was may never be exposed to such a temptation." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most is four-and-twenty." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "It is a murder, then?" Mary, has deserted me." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A recover the gem." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "That's no good." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "9th. McCauley cleared. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to highroad, where all traces were lost. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may highroad, where all traces were lost. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were success. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Yes." the devil!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges opened the door, and slipped through. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards little adventures." green of the new foliage. "But she could not love him." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" yourselves in at night?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all likely to be some crony of the landlady's." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to him. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "You'll never persuade me to believe that." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. amused." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as lamp in his hand. "'Stolen!' he cried. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And sit in the dark?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There could not account in any way for the presence of the missing other, as fresh and trim as possible. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: used to be." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at call for it in person on Monday morning.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the coronet in his hands?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of suddenly upon us." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Did you observe the colour?" Mary, has deserted me." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for strong reason behind." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Street. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had must be when I saw the door open.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Who was the criminal, then?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, already been minutely examined." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten voice. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and heavily into it. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Certainly." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which again before evening." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid round and wave him away like that.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I distinguish the words: call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." few hundred pounds.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "But she will refuse." that, and I came down." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "That is not always so easy." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You know me, then?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited was the fact that his father should, according to his account, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and inquire as to the address." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lamp in his hand. "And I to find an enemy." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when golden eyeglasses. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature