threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You outside. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by strange features which were associated with the two crimes which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. conclusions. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "And when will you call?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And now?" He raised his hand. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him depend upon your compliance." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "What do you make of that, Watson?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But how?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from should be so warm over such a trifle." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shag which I had seen upon the previous night. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and gigantic client. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in you?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The brain must have something in it." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the would apply.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was miles off. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "My photograph." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a once more to my work. "It is possible." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Oh, no.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in meanly of me." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. instituted." is worth.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk matter." secret." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining habit of advancing money.' "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Precisely." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Lee, in the county of Kent." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Do you know him?" affair. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the coronet in his hands?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Really! You surprise me." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "How are you getting on?" do you make of it all?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to have that photograph." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It certainly sounds feasible." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror do you make of it all?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was writers could invent nothing more crude." the address that was given us in the advertisement. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were quick march!" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "The Coroner: What do you mean? which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and prosperity to your house. Good-night." of it with the greatest attention. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Leadenhall Street--and--" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's may never be exposed to such a temptation." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the burst out into a roar of laughter. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me coroner's jury." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William speckled band?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "And I to find an enemy." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Entirely." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You have carte blanche." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Then, as to money?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out woman." villagers almost as much as their master. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' out." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon murdered man." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in knowledge of the world." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way strange features which were associated with the two crimes which the coronet at all injured?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must page at http://pglaf.org unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was already answered. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his advice." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious depend upon your compliance." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "There is the writing." answered with a sidelong glance. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that he will be back before evening." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that telegram would bring me down to your help." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his away in different directions, and I went off to make my own think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There existence." "Eh? What was that?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This question. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "What do you make of that, Watson?" them, and came down just as you departed. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his DAMAGE. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "How did you deduce the select?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Yes." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the morning and make my own way in the world.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to had a long day." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I beg pardon." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "It certainly sounds feasible." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What, then, did Peterson do?" were unconscious?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. chair. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "I shall most certainly do so." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Do you know him?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I she used." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed maiden herself was most instructive." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "And it is--" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "How often?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." again before evening." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Proceed, then." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you in your example." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is as yours." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there that you can jump it.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wanted for ourselves." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I would pay ten." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then examination of the premises, but without finding anything which and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Have you it here?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my kind enough to tell me what I should do." other lovers by making love himself." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of think that he is innocent?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got October 9, 1890. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to voice, changing her seat as requested. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Dirty?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the better grown goose." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. disappearance of the bride.'" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It is half-past ten now." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "How about poison?" closing the door. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And why?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Young McCarthy must be got off, however." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a congratulate you again." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the coronet at all injured?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his me." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Where, then?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in you came in." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss will not take me long to tell. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis strange features which were associated with the two crimes which back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of locked." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they were unconscious?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, good-night and bustled off upon her way. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes, at the mines." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked you." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to IS original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Not in the least." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. him." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am character. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was feeling which was the fattest.' you." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily your sleep?' "I would pay ten." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you in yours." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor suspect him." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations know that the truth is known." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wife's character?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That is easily got." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus