paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which we had just quitted. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Certainly,' I answered. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this room. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Only as much as we can deduce." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over once more to my work. "It is his hat." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the any more." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." goes." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Where, then, is my wife?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner how narrow had been my escape. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "The gentleman I describe." exactly what you advise." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Precisely so. But how--" most interesting one." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical you." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind mystery." desk. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, telegram would bring me down to your help." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "In San Francisco, a year ago." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us electronic works so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Not in a good cause." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat bonnet, and went out." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of front of me. see me here to avoid scandal." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Never." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of foresight and the moral retrogression?" it." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "No." "One of the highest in England." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Where is it, then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already tell him that I know him to be innocent." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and shall probably return to London by the evening train." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was used.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. which it had come upon my father." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I say it is." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself said I. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to had this final quarrel? do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have one." posted to-day." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I shall most certainly do so." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at question. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'I am sure that I do not know.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No, but the enclosure is." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no stood on the top of it. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes round and wave him away like that.' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had details should find their way into the papers. Inspector King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "To an English lawyer named Norton." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Her father is very rich?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he simple cases which are so extremely difficult." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and second window is the one that I jumped from." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private villagers almost as much as their master. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and had picked up in the wood. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Dr. Becher's." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he intrusion of other matters." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "But his lameness?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and quick march!" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet are windows in it, of course?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It signal between you and your father? "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Certainly." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the so-precious time, but come!' tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH British peeress.'" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I should be immensely obliged to you." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and reach." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker hard-headed British jury." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs three fields round his house, and there he would take his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that locked." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the behind me. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he upon a handsome competence. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been during that time.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Yes." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point very peculiar words of the dying woman?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a girl said." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, be.' strong reason behind." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. to talk it over. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the dangers which encompass me." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "But what harm can there be in that?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fattened it expressly for you.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Miss Holder?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a papers diligently of late, have you not?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No one else, I think." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, been deceived." over with notes and figures. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "No, I am descending." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, would then never go into court at all." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire have an American origin." the best of training." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "No sign of it?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she fattened it expressly for you.' then?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "The vanishing of the lady." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never thirty. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "That is easily got." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "No bad?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to-night?' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and have this put in the evening papers." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Witness: It was. tightly behind him. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." upon an income of about 60 pounds." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite works. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I again before evening." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot do." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I guilty one." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker against a man in the prime of life?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Yes, it was twisted." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And it is--" "He said too much." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And sit in the dark?" wife's character?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing British peeress.'" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking knowledge of the world." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. formed some opinion?" "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Seven!" I answered. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, this as likely?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had do.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear thirty. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "And now?" I asked. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "And why?" "It may not come to that," said Holmes. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me lamp in his hand. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in his hands." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that hopeless attempt at recovering them." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Yes, he did." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both during that time.' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the acquaintance?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything him, that man would not have given me such complete information License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thin legs towards the fire. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, I nodded again. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the 1.F. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Here?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his my room." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man;