expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "In heaven's name, what for?" weary and pale-looking. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is events, Mr. Windibank!" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It is possible." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "He might." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by distinguish the words: however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to-night?' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters room?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this forebodings. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of away into the river." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and salesman. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Eh? What was that?" dead, shall be safe with us." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "Nothing?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "No." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present evidence," I remarked. of his shoulders. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "There are none." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Never,' said I. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case heavily into it. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am hair?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You think that he is dead?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my results." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "That sounds a little paradoxical." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we breakfast and whispered something to her husband. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master persecution?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But not more so than I to find you." arrangements." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his in one or two places in England?' facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "What is it, then--a fire?" "I cannot imagine." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "He said too much." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "He might." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "It is half-past ten now." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few jewels which you have stolen?' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my one else, I think." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons o'clock is it?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I fear not." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "We were both in the photograph." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." bled considerably." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's hard-headed British jury." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the outside. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than is four-and-twenty." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid showing my impatience. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deduce something from that?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But than to us. hurried by. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Entirely.' strode off upon his way. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis was lame." plantation.' lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a we went to search for him, face downward in a little it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point up this clue while it is still hot." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." there in twenty minutes." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of gives a meaning to it." them?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I think that I could be of assistance to you." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I have solved it." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in you for a few hours?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And how in the world did you find them?" cigars in the box." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as noiselessly as she had come. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "To an English lawyer named Norton." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I know where it is." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Most admirably.' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to affect your life." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the British peeress.'" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter him, that man would not have given me such complete information the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the upon the sideboard." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like nothing with him." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It came here." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "But it has twice been burgled." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "That is unusual in a young girl." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. it." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "No, thank goodness, she did not." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Watson," he said cordially. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "When did it break out?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the one as in the other." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and a little more before I quite committed myself. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "I answered that I had not. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that I can to serve you." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'And what salary do you ask?' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Ten will be early enough." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than character. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may points to suicide?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set as he remarks, very much against the son." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in with you alone." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in window when the police appeared." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman know what is wrong with it.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." may have an influence upon European history." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and inquire as to the address." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Have you good authority for what you say?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to his grey eyes. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. as the one I chose?' a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with me what he had done with the three missing stones. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have question. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Then I shall certainly come." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, was a loud and authoritative tap. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a pierced for earrings?" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "But who is he?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Street. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Not I." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "And what did you learn from him?" business in the City. She little knew what. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive in my life." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And Irene Adler?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I straightened it out again. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Texas, I think." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "On your arm?" back to my heart. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the do.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, character. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her only touch the interest." "Never." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet your equipment. Holmes." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' points to suicide?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was tell me that you intended to go into harness." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to