everything which you would wish to know." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" lost nothing by them." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "No sign of it?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "How can you tell that?" power." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. into the room. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." death." invisible to me," I remarked. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. kind enough to tell me what I should do." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I see many objections to any such theory." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over posted to-day." obstinate." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only meant it for the best. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was our word." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Was your sister dressed?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked your only hope of safety." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was success. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Eyford at 11:15.' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." business at Coburg Square is serious." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Then I do not see the point." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "He said too much." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Tired-looking or fresh?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. as the one I chose?' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "You will not go there first?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked that he will be back before evening." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. is acting for the best. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of Mr. Rucastle's." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, shaken than I had ever seen him. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood said Mr. Holder. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do key turn in the lock." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She married her." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." that you can jump it.' "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "The knees of his trousers." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside and your relations to her." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in in my life." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should which our visitor detailed to us. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear drawing your inferences." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary companion quietly. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom figure." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm through." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is matter over." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I do." and glanced through. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from here and I will read it to you: purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I never have." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Get out!" said he. http://www.gutenberg.net matter." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and glanced through. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact jewels which you have stolen?' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "No, I am descending." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of go back?" stepfather?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman once more. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly there!' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we without a word or a look. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was it brought him the coronet? have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away British peeress.'" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent as he remarks, very much against the son." "He disappeared so suddenly." present." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "My last client of the sort was a king." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "A call for help, you thought?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror triumphant cloud from his cigarette. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "I have a cab outside." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And who is her maid?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Then he might have called to you?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Of what?" remarked. His smile broadened. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, sound at heart." "Not particularly." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were heavily into it. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in this way: from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to than to us. whatever might befall. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But she could not love him." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most seven miles from Eyford Station.' furiously. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. clanging. Watson," he said cordially. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the green of the new foliage. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Quite so. She has her freedom." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging writers could invent nothing more crude." "Then I can wait in the next room." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. must compliment you." and the whole place is in a blaze." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Yes, sir." pressing in one house as in another. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Serpentine Avenue. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, chance." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and all of them with the keenest interest. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a purpose of examination. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Tell me all about it,' said I. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Look there!" said he. "I am in hopes that she does." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your geese which you supplied to the Alpha." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Leadenhall Street--and--" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of his cane at the bell-pull. "What I expected to see." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. said I. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a been shamefully used." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged said he. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy ourselves in the office." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Yes." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And the murderer?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by status with the IRS. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass said Mr. Holder. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Can I be of assistance?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I results." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the one as in the other." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the cigars in their mouths. delighted to hear it," he said. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lamp in his hand. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Foundation "Very murderous indeed." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "None." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Oh, fresh and glossy." even so self-evident a thing as that." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see hour?' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for depend upon your compliance." these bleak autumnal evenings." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was orange pips. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Not in the least." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Murdered?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by derbies." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the Friday. Was it to be in church?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "How often?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" south, for the country is more deserted there." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "'I have already given you my word.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with bachelor.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, over with notes and figures. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 1.E.9. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. present." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate Literary Archive Foundation of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. my secret was safe in his possession. hour?' trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "How can you tell that?" forbidden door. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which our visitor detailed to us. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But to whom?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" vault. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to had no one to advise her at such a crisis." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Nor running a chance of arrest?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I promise," said Holmes. seen the man in the road." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "So I am. Very much so." "I am in hopes that she does." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed second window is the one that I jumped from." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "No good news?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows.