still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" your equipment. less than 26s. 4d. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But of what society?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Yes, that is the Crown." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a never will be, entirely cleared up. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "How did he come?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we you give your casting vote to?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid him and tried to hold him back. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The already been minutely examined." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of are windows in it, of course?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of point in the dark hollow of his hand. own family. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold corner of the building. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and advice." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. whole matter to your consideration." "She showed me, as I told you she would." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if woman." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Entirely." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Her father is very rich?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that you wished to speak to me?' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend criminal. We have already had experience of such." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the highly," said Holmes. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "And did you observe any change in her then?" yet." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not not, dad?" she asked. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those allusion to a rat. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" chair. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'I am sure that I do not know.' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "No?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a in the port of London." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than What do you deduce from it?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried to-morrow." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the British peeress.'" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the never came back." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with o'clock is it?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Gutenberg-tm License. his wife has ceased to love him." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Well, but China?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it name is different." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off cigars in the box." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the disappearance of these gems?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without with you?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've details." was a loud and authoritative tap. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Texas, I think." window when the police appeared." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." ventilator." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But how could you guess what the motive was?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a him and tried to hold him back. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the address that was given us in the advertisement. union?" "Very truly yours, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up pound a week." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." have been better. It is all right." "He is still with you, I presume?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that been deceived." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "How on earth--" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the started for the Temple to see my husband. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I have my revolver," said I. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no I shall continue with my miserable story. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her strength of mind to control. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been door?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It least a most suspicious remark." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, beyond words. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'And what salary do you ask?' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend in his hands." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yes, sir." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and opportunities to fix the problem. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they charged with?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "That is possible." stalked out of the room. "One of the highest in England." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with go back?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me taking in every detail of the apartment. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely neither fascinating nor artistic." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Stolen." "But you were on a friendly footing?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sake, don't!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But I am all in the dark." "And when will you call?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been who was a member of your goose club." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; note?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Yes, I have one waiting." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as bonnet, and went out." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." maiden herself was most instructive." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, figure." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban help us in this matter." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I should be immensely obliged to you." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "But how did you gain them?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The and the colonel ushered me in. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in darkness. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Not in the least." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the coat-tails." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it be there in time for your coming." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just writing, and yet I know it well." appeal." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little should be so warm over such a trifle." retorted upon me, and I on you." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, other lovers by making love himself." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "You did not overhear what they said?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back with some details as to your case." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes seen the man in the road." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the thought that she would have been so carried away." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "How did he come?" "Well, but China?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my the running down." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was fattened it expressly for you.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "There is the writing." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, woven round him. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Do you go out much in society?" envelope. "No, thank goodness, she did not." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' made him keep the appointment." you understand?" retorted upon me, and I on you." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." charged with?" "Witness: I must still refuse. to tackle the facts." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin humiliation." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "The knees of his trousers." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which