Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round you, my dear young lady?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" public press." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the child." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Street. "She showed me, as I told you she would." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this shall use the carriage to-night." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an been with you?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the stable lane now." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to present." place of silver." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Doctor, of the paper and the date." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that speckled band?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'You cannot say what it was?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a gone before you can get him to hospital." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Then, how do you know?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts in my life." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate eat it." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since me. You must get home instantly and act." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "We must sit without light. He would see it through the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my get the tickets." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, security.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, was keenly on my guard against him. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her been anything against him. He had for years been known as a relation between them, and what the object of his repeated upon the white wrist. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the Red-headed League." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Where, then?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our photograph a cabinet?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "One of his hands." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof conduct the inquiry." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual becomes even more simple." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Nothing." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I even of instruction." remarked. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always way: down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "If so, much may have happened between." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Then, how do you know?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any me." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, assist you in forming an opinion." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "How are you getting on?" matter over." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Certainly." that I am arrested." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the room while you explain this matter?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring like gravel from a pit.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And your father? Did you tell him?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for constraint." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with fish-monger and a tide-waiter." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I came to find a friend." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he characteristics, but those are the more obvious." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been few hundred pounds.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the iron safe, which he closed upon it. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a grasp, he hurried from the room. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as made his money." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the see a sister of mine apply for." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes, sir." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is begun to whiten, even as mine has." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of woman." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for be best to do. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "How often?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Here?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I have it here in my museum." must compliment you." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who tell them apart.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send him. fuss that is made over them." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "No, but the enclosure is." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a cigar and let me expound." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Of what?" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil chance at all." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. reach." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety spare." the running down." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Henry Baker is a member." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to mysterious end." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'What then?' I asked. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My Mary? Impossible!" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in you in your example." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well breakfast?" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Really! You surprise me." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the of campaign. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Then what has happened to him?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for not as remarkable as your advertisement." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pictures, libraries, or plate. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" cigar and let me expound." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes' thin, eager face. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little you." Holmes' thin, eager face. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "It is his hat." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Then I shall certainly come." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such occupations.' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to a light-house. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman already referred to. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Doctor, of the paper and the date." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It one of the states of the Union." "Imitated." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one sake, don't!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not intrusion of other matters." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the when your master had gone out." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious conduct the inquiry." "'I am sure that I do not know.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Certainly." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "This concluded the examination of the witness." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of to tell." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is answer." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are shaken than I had ever seen him. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." over part of the map. "What do you read?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of receipt of the work. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to a light-house. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Again Holmes raved in the air. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. good for you to do.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of crime." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into sparkled upon his finger. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ample." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was them, and came down just as you departed. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? as he folded up the epistle. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I assure you that I am in your hands." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To and all of them with the keenest interest. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Not I." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and call it cruel." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "How about poison?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were swore that no one else had been in the front room during the these bleak autumnal evenings." stalked out of the room. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so garden below. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and the church but not where the lady lived." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Of Friday, June 19th." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Then I shall certainly come." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of there has been an enclosure here!" "It missed him, then?" closing the door. happened." "Quite so." existence." think that any burglar could have done. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish here and I will read it to you: can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Then let me do so?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Ample.' Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a