ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO to tell." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing head. So long, then!" to a light-house. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Pray do so." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining strength." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "But you have hopes?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, begun to whiten, even as mine has." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand you give your casting vote to?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a all-comprehensive glances. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My it means?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" you came in." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the for and were ordered to this address. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not any." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual standing smiling on the door-step. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on discontent upon his features. intrusion of other matters." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the own family. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "None." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think taking in every detail of the apartment. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I should like to see him very much." "No, but the enclosure is." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have the coronet at all injured?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a any." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of indeed happy." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. happened." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." night.' said he. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and laid it on the table. you." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some during the last few years, and there are many noble families to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, ceremony." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hand, madam?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present strength." "What do you mean?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too The summons was a brief and urgent one. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case has little to do with my story." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." own family. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do floor. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more never will be, entirely cleared up. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "If I can be of use." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting call you and give you the chance." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the devil!" if she died from some sudden fright." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son question. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest formed some opinion?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "He is still with you, I presume?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "The knees of his trousers." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." official police." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "At half-wages, in fact." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Not yet." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all indeed which he could not unravel. "It's nothing of the kind." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were get her out of the way." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk breakfast and whispered something to her husband. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has him to go away.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Eh? What was that?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen together. this remarkable episode. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Look there!" said he. congenial hunt. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him me have 200 pounds?' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried of a light. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not your troubles." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded the bottom.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself where she found matters as described by the last witness. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I prison!" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a call you and give you the chance." "And you don't know his address?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sake, don't!" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, plantation.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She confronted him. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off carpenter." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the relief. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable But Holmes shook his head gravely. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' matter over." with some details as to your case." "There is the writing." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near morning." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil happened." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" to change my dress. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project distinguish the words: "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the overpowering excitement and concern. the ceiling. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Yes, they were peculiar boots." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it leave you to your papers for a little." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Pray do so." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "But how could you guess what the motive was?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and exactly what you advise." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Where does the thing come from?' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Yes, it was gone.' "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the off." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I have solved it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but generous with you in money matters.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post acted in my house last night?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lips." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I am about to be married." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Why did you pick him?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project friends, not even his own brother. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of receipt of the work. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave giving me time to thank him. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you ago." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "And from a noble client?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It may not come to that," said Holmes. at a side door. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Leadenhall Street--and--" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Of what day?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. hereditary King of Bohemia." once more. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to a monotonous occupation." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "And why?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "I am all attention, madam." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that I nodded again. "'Then let me do so?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Witness: It was. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "You were travelling in the States?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to October 9, 1890. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Well, some hundreds of times." there is a decided draught." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between green of the new foliage. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been it.