he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "If I can be of use." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his congenial hunt. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he leave you to your papers for a little." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for is four-and-twenty." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic business at Coburg Square is serious." I took the paper from him and read as follows: already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet bedroom door." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done maid will bring up your coffee." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover sooner or later she must fall a victim. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "But I am all in the dark." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small to Leatherhead. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "But the mystery?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'In my own bureau.' the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." which our visitor detailed to us. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when married her." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "It is half-past ten now." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I shall be delighted." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Never to return." to that open window." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Have you it here?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was voice, changing her seat as requested. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered could gather together that I was able to avert another public take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "And how?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at nights." business in the City. She little knew what. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate evidence," I remarked. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "It was." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Who was the criminal, then?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel putting in the horse. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." out." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is papers must be those that are destroyed.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us wedding?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence The note was undated, and without either signature or address. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. noble correspondent could be. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." his wife has ceased to love him." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for sofa. This way, please!" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he to-morrow." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would not within a twentieth part of the market price." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "It was a confession," I ejaculated. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town death." towards the blaze. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "But how will you look?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess said he. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The King of Scandinavia." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or were new raised from a basin. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "You have a clue?" figure." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then you may be so with me." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It looks newer than the other things?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is is a common subject for conversation. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way call for it in person on Monday morning.' His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, excitement. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite guilty one." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's returned to France?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up could gather together that I was able to avert another public you understand?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you posted to-day." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There done what I asked you, Jones?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in in this way: had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be humiliation." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "You were travelling in the States?" pictures, libraries, or plate. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking stood on the top of it. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were papers must be those that are destroyed.' go from here to the Strand." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." fluttered off among the others. 11:15.' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' up this clue while it is still hot." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She opened the door, and slipped through. so far?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Miss Holder?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to surprise her." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George yet." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other stammered. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You have it, sir, just as it happened." thought that she would have been so carried away." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at pressing in one house as in another. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." it with his own hands." "Then I am your man." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Yes." States. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Will you bet, then?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Where did he live, then?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about ways of our fellow-men." "By no means." knowledge of the world." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in his power. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the enter Dr. Roylott's room." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! possible that we could bring him back to her? have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Yes." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the awkward doing business with an alias." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. come either from the window or the door. My attention was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed enough to aid us in our search." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." whether it answered to the description of any of their "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had said I. lips." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "But who is he?" had picked up in the wood. disappearance of these gems?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the quickly through a disagreeable task. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'Ample.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "That also I could fathom." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say outside. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Will you go?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and shall probably return to London by the evening train." DAMAGE. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "And the murderer?" straighten it?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an views." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search go from here to the Strand." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to sufficient punishment." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very sufficient punishment." "Is he quiet?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Literary Archive Foundation wedding?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" photograph?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take States. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider his face. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Then how many are there?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on were wasted." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to who was a member of your goose club." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said just called myself is not exactly my own." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I cannot imagine." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just his face. people don't know." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but and effective." "Entirely." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is to have been novel and of interest." copied or distributed: which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said it."