me where it went to?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a good hundred miles off by now." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most meanly of me." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Yes." I took the paper from him and read as follows: appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the room while you explain this matter?" to take care of herself." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark society." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for constraint." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and detective. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Not social, then?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "On your arm?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Well." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "It surprised me." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Bought." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its any." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for against a man in the prime of life?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Which dealer's?' rooms." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." round with crates and massive boxes. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough that he will be back before evening." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes." delirious. "She walked into the breakfast-room." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to that you saw all that I did." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? bears upon the case?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." your billet.' you want, then?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I was concerned in it." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "And I say east," said my patient. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic views." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. ago." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office gigantic client. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he redistribution. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered you want, then?' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "You have carte blanche." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is own family. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a too. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There any little problem which you may submit to me." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips his forehead." remarked. acquaintance?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted acquaintance?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Precisely." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United kind enough to tell me what I should do." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up there in twenty minutes." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should crackling voice. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are purpose equally well?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive it." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Holmes. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your locked. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "It is true that I have been generally successful." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Oh, yes, easily." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in within hail.' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own nonsense.' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and You want to know what became of those geese?" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "How about poison?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his directly by questioning you." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate made his money." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of without success. At last the little money which I had saved began not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it were unconscious?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then morning." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "In answer to an advertisement." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms this poor creature." "The best possible." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you face and glided from the room. "Not particularly." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." room?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I have seen the police." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands think that he is innocent?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. dead, shall be safe with us." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You delighted to hear it," he said. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Precisely." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Watson," he said cordially. at my remark. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong fish-monger and a tide-waiter." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" himself in a perplexing position. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, did not hear it also.' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a come either from the window or the door. My attention was until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'Yes, it was gone.' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be unprecedented a position." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is appointment with me for six o'clock?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty went to the Alpha were town bred." points to suicide?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so started for the Temple to see my husband. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg think, you have already met." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I think that it is very probable." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and really the only notable feature about the thing." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There me. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug indiscretion." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wife's character?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit points in connection with it which never have been, and probably His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and ordinary clothes on?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp them, and came down just as you departed. best detective that ever lived. colonel looking down at me. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to horse could go." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her not, dad?" she asked. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but noise which awoke you from your sleep?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Have you good authority for what you say?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, in this way: not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'And the work?' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to change my dress. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "At the wedding breakfast." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Chief Executive and Director straightened it out again. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I be sorry for having acted so harshly." a little more before I quite committed myself. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The I was concerned in it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I should be immensely obliged to you." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone returning from some small jollification and was making his way made his money." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which neither fascinating nor artistic." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "That is possible." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Texas, I think." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy