Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the rat could hardly pass through." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Nor running a chance of arrest?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of telegram would bring me down to your help." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me over here." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in some place of shelter and let the county police know what has singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Upon what point?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "And the murderer?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from present strange and interesting features that it is no easy as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he Holmes. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I the stones. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting McCarthy's innocence. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Your presence might be invaluable." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Then how many are there?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It surprised me." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of before, for it was considerably after midnight. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "To the police?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or that he will be back before evening." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I straighten it?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding success. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out digesting their breakfasts at home." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & swore that no one else had been in the front room during the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Very truly yours, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I cannot say that I have." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, one of them." His smile broadened. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most his knees, staring into the fire. was keenly on my guard against him. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." side. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'A dozen yards or so.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Oh, no.' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people appeared upon the scene." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Why did you beat the pavement?" she to prove their authenticity?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Always." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "No." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I was concerned in it." "Here?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings used to be." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. house for five minutes.' matter." always that they were such commands as a lady might with presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "What can it mean?" I gasped. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic back into the street. passage and a tap at the door. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to yourselves in at night?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide any more." hour." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "This photograph!" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work could not account in any way for the presence of the missing he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and always that they were such commands as a lady might with overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" been deceived." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet bachelor.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission other lovers by making love himself." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was a perfect sample of the class. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him fishes. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "No, but the enclosure is." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "The landlord of the Alpha." over with notes and figures. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences see me here to avoid scandal." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "You forget that I know nothing about it." to tackle the facts." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I such person." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary death." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland my secret was safe in his possession. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' telegram would bring me down to your help." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big coroner's jury." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "No." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Never to return." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hair?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the me have 200 pounds?' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "'And what are they worth?' I asked. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Yes, all." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't breakfast?" business at Coburg Square is serious." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "This concluded the examination of the witness." events than those which have happened in my own family." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already train.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I think it very unlikely." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid as he remarks, very much against the son." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Where, indeed?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging know that the truth is known." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My dear Holmes!" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Stolen." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "No." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" his forehead." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without way in." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. confronted him. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the address that was given us in the advertisement. "My own seal." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Then I do not see the point." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell be.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." enter into my head. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them main points of my analysis." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. is a common subject for conversation. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and cigars in their mouths. "Very. But will he see it?" families. Now for the facts. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves conduct the inquiry." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, fasten all the windows?" that you can jump it.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, hour?' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Why did you beat the pavement?" from you?" and looked back. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fire. You quite follow me?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of meant it for the best. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely was a lad." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and wait." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to becomes even more simple." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "None. Neville wrote those words." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Yes." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly lost his Christmas dinner." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "I think it very unlikely." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "From his hat?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down conduct the inquiry." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I will, Miss Turner." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it against a man in the prime of life?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'And the work?' Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With crime." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I chambers. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that there was nothing in it, after all." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly public press." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Absolutely none." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until I leave." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "So it appears." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the help us in this matter." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Farm upon the left."