Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at 'please.'" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I should like to see him very much." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell electronic works "I am all attention, madam." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," have one." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'And what salary do you ask?' "Did your wife hear all this?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to talk it over. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of constraint." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged forecastle of an emigrant ship. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Ha! you find it so?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to But Holmes shook his head gravely. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." wedding?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these room. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must society." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Always." "Did your wife hear all this?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good cup of tea. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Stoke Moran." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the shall use the carriage to-night." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he are, and they are waiting for us." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Imitated." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." that?' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out memory. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I held the little printed slip to the light. "A call for help, you thought?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I do." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to have been novel and of interest." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made pictures, libraries, or plate. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes. He waved his hands." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten anything to a woman, for she would have her way." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' bird of prey. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "And I." to arrive at through this?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that if she died from some sudden fright." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to For additional contact information: "To ruin me." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." waste of energy." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. you want, then?' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong colonel looking down at me. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a it means?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining foot. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It is his hat." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about had a long day." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to take care of herself." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' do.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Your presence might be invaluable." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I morning." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the invisible to me," I remarked. indeed which he could not unravel. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, upon the shelf for the interim." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "To the police?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "My opinion is in no way altered." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but less than 26s. 4d. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his for and were ordered to this address. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "How are you getting on?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your arrangements." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of Mr. Rucastle's." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I leave." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, man. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it lips." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of that there was nothing in it, after all." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well, it is a possible supposition." from the brougham. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "And the cigar-holder?" thin legs towards the fire. "Of what day?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the tragedy. this poor creature." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "By train from Waterloo." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." becomes even more simple." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." own family. horse could go." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "There is the writing." breakfast?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell him nearly every evening." room?" least a fellow-countryman. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy asked. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to take care of herself." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was a perfect sample of the class. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, friend's singular character. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear voice. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Seven!" I answered. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Pray let us have it, for all that." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make good-night and bustled off upon her way. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself showing my impatience. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was the fact that his father should, according to his account, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it. do.' asked. him and tried to hold him back. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "What shall I do?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I or other trace. But how on earth--" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "My photograph." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he take the flies, but not before." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. only touch the interest." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It is his hat." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet strode off upon his way. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, morning." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue British peeress.'" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Where does the thing come from?' "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a was not a bird to be seen there. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "None. Neville wrote those words." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Ten to two.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, fled together." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Of Friday, June 19th." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life best detective that ever lived. Does that suggest anything?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Ha! you find it so?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many children over to America with him, so that I found myself without I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I am all attention, madam." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to confronted him. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we tell them apart.' him nearly every evening." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end details should find their way into the papers. Inspector we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself extraordinary contortions. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Foundation one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "The rest you will leave in our hands." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they dates and names. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that and inquire as to the address." own family. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at locked." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, light and attacked it." the nursery. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and crime." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, upon the shelf for the interim." me what he had done with the three missing stones. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in his hands." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for upon the white wrist. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "It is no ordinary one." mysterious business." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to go into your room and bar your shutters?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out brandy and water within his reach. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already