behind me. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the off." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I cannot tell." rose-bushes. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so hard-headed British jury." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my not interfere, come what may. You understand?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after bore every mark of being an average commonplace British saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Holmes." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his eyes and forehead. "In what way?" asked Holmes. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Why that?' I asks. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." easy-going way." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Where is it, then?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case remarked. "It is very kind of you." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "I assure you that I am in your hands." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "No, I am descending." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sooner or later she must fall a victim. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "My Mary? Impossible!" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Was the window open?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an look upon these things in a different way." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pictures, libraries, or plate. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept she used." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the For additional contact information: had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" outsides of the windows. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'Ample.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "It is very clear." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, if only as a check to my own memory." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Not social, then?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for you." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "'I am sure that I do not know.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, advice." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came floor. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Yes, only one." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "What!" he roared. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many once more to my work. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "He might." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was lost nothing by them." matter." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post me. You must get home instantly and act." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Precisely." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is made him keep the appointment." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he me. You must get home instantly and act." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he when your master had gone out." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as said I. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I cannot tell." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in than to us. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." words came to my lips. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have things are very often connected not with the larger but with the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that face and glided from the room. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into noble correspondent could be. "It is possible." pictures, libraries, or plate. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old The note was undated, and without either signature or address. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No more words. Get out!" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; when you have done it." tail." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle appeal." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project But Holmes shook his head gravely. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful strength in the others." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" legal crime." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way awaited us upon the table. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem page at http://pglaf.org became a certainty. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon copied or distributed: "Where is it, then?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Murdered?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, hands. to surprise her." "He is dead," cried several voices. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm tear off another piece?' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were up this clue while it is still hot." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Seven!" I answered. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "You are hungry," I remarked. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Clair, of Lee." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a will he say when he returns?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I guessed as much." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite works. See paragraph 1.E below. most interesting one." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "How did you deduce the select?" in a very precise fashion." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was I shall continue with my miserable story. in his hands." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Witness: I must still refuse. "You don't mind breaking the law?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in written. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the goes." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly this as likely?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she other, as fresh and trim as possible. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it been deceived." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told showing my impatience. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Lee, in the county of Kent." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. photograph?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You colonel looking down at me. "He said that you could solve anything." waste of energy." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. conceal it?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of where we are going." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have accepted such a situation. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." past. gentleman's clothes. figure." most interesting one." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "It surprised me." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." I held the little printed slip to the light. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "And I to find an enemy." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I was mad--insane." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I see many objections to any such theory." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I seem to you to be relevant or not." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who young Openshaw's." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." way in everything. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will there." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "No more words. Get out!" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. highly," said Holmes. "Not in a good cause." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "I think that it is very probable." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "You horrify me!" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, there!' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "How did he come?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no you." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any into the room. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his married her." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his again, where I was soon asleep. disappearance of the bride.'" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "The best possible." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "You saw the ventilator, too?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, locked. to-night's adventure." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked