beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that annoyance, but no jest. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "That sounds a little paradoxical." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Quite sure, dad.' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the warnings." miles off. "Were they all fastened this morning?" distinguish the words: "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said rat could hardly pass through." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Here?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "She showed me, as I told you she would." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall but preventing her from injuring another. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of already referred to. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers crime. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" is four-and-twenty." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Holmes rather sternly. "'Certainly not.' telegram would bring me down to your help." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Come in!" said Holmes. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible papers on the sundial.'" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What shall I do?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when about here speaks of his kindness to him." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you salesman. "What! Had he lost his wife?" these bleak autumnal evenings." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can closing the door. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you you came in." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "A client, then?" through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "At what time?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Pray let us have it, for all that." "The landlord of the Alpha." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Yes." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at in this note: line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It must be recovered." floor. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility definite end. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It came here." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no have I gained?" out." not as remarkable as your advertisement." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the side-table." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to trying to your nerves." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and himself in a perplexing position. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Where could I find him?' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His instincts rose up against that laugh. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The few hundred pounds.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I matter." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, yet." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, desk. be best to do. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "And what did you learn from him?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. ashen face. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: a very grave face. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some certainly not very gracious." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was least a most suspicious remark." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and put his glass in his pocket. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. here." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." tightly behind him. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at peculiar to him. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you stood on the top of it. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is following enigmatical notices: the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally London for the present?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon pierced for earrings?" daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to My friend smiled. "In San Francisco, a year ago." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people stammered. "I cannot say that I have." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hard-headed British jury." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Always." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you It may be so in this case, also." there!' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "And why in hopes?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss dates and names. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, crime." "I was mad--insane." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." business." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'As governess?' come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "At what time?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with know that the truth is known." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double cheerful." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to tell." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes, but only for you and me." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round figure." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Pope's Court, Fleet Street." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I will do it." passage and a tap at the door. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project coroner's jury." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "He might." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "My dear Holmes!" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have something of him before." "No, thank goodness, she did not." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly an introduction to him?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a footfalls from the street. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "But his lameness?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a breakfast?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "That is easily got." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw triumphant cloud from his cigarette. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But it has twice been burgled." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The I nodded to show that I had heard. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "She told me to ask you." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Countess of Morcar's?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'I have heard so.' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I again before evening." one of the states of the Union." open." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. really the only notable feature about the thing." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was guilty parties." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love or in danger--" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, read it out to me." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. salesman. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to it right.' directly by questioning you." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which even of instruction." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Yes." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I am still in the dark." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and tapping his fingers upon the table. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. even so self-evident a thing as that." copied or distributed: my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It is possible." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to talk it over. nice household for a young lady." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Breckinridge is his name." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Imitated." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and the colonel ushered me in. there is a decided draught." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, my little problems." it." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. she used." "'Very good.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to get her out of the way." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar tied." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless charged with?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of them has the shutters up.' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked bonnet, and went out." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And I to find an enemy." which we had just quitted. "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as