neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you husband's writing, madam." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "I cannot tell." "That's no good." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I cannot as yet see any connection." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Ha! you find it so?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "No." business came to an end." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Where did he live, then?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. morning." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stammered. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Did he not advertise?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All following enigmatical notices: "Dark enough and sinister enough." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Why? What do you mean?" "'What, the red-headed man?' the date of his supposed suicide." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a security.' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I of the way of danger. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant bedroom door." promised to bring home. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the eat it." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of towards the blaze. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "A call for help, you thought?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "But what will you do?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of ways of our fellow-men." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the I shall continue with my miserable story. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His towards the blaze. went to the Alpha were town bred." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic off." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "That was it, sir." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried there when the Rucastles went away." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. situation." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. him to go away.' you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I promise," said Holmes. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "That also I could fathom." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. during that time.' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the six. Come in!" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible flock.' heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have a cab outside." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I page at http://pglaf.org "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It's nothing of the kind." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at leaning back in his chair. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to must be when I saw the door open.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "You have compromised yourself seriously." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I don't believe it." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the nursery. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I will get her to show me." "Well, but China?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Munro.' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "To an end?" tightly behind him. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body possible that we could bring him back to her? "Of Friday, June 19th." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And it is--" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood he. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What office?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not had a long day." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "What do you make of that, Watson?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'Never,' said I. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "But he might be a bachelor." what do you think they found in the pockets?" people in all walks of life. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "That is unusual in a young girl." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out writers could invent nothing more crude." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned and a shock of very red hair. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull weary and pale-looking. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far was a loud and authoritative tap. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was a perfect sample of the class. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Look there!" said he. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no later, upon the night of May 2nd." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very know what is wrong with it.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when definite end. rose-bushes. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "And did you observe any change in her then?" present." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, could not have written that. It is the German who is so It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that I may have something better before very many minutes are "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Look there!" said he. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Holmes' thin, eager face. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater relief. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "From his hat?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too off." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit house for five minutes.' of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Was she in good spirits?" address. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Well, some hundreds of times." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I am still in the dark." "I say it is." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of me." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one pierced for earrings?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at must compliment you." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the nursery. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Come in!" said he. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "10th. John Swain cleared. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "How did you trace it, then?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few fashion which was peculiar to him. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "And from a noble client?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You are certainly joking, Holmes." that, and I came down." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your cigar and let me expound." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes during the last few years, and there are many noble families to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. it." your troubles." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have which we had just quitted. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how happened." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It was an hour's good drive." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "That was it, sir." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I dear old homesteads?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'Yes, sir.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Yes, sir." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the returned to France?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "That was it, sir." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." wedding?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "It must be recovered." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not were wasted." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" such attractions and accomplishments?' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And why?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded you?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole just called myself is not exactly my own." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "It came here." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Then I do not see the point." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But the mystery?" "Then what has happened to him?" outsides of the windows. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had think you a quite exceptional woman." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." in. matter over." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than any little problem which you may submit to me." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey