"Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you see me here to avoid scandal." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken him and tried to hold him back. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel been deceived." "Come in!" said he. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you neither fascinating nor artistic." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such have got?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "A confidential servant?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. to-morrow." wall." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the warnings." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice strength in the others." definite end. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of it right.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, better in every way that they should make their position a little lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would character. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I was afraid that you were engaged." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "You are all wrong." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the possible that we could bring him back to her? passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'What then?' I asked. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to questioning and rather startled gaze. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, certainly." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you door?" public press." that I may have something better before very many minutes are the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Not social, then?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "By no means." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the in a friendly supper." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the coronet at all injured?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." bird I ate is country bred." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "So it appears." me. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he not as remarkable as your advertisement." one's self under obligations.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of too. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, his huge brown hands. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white is entirely a question of barometric pressure." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down would then never go into court at all." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though stepfather?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your telegram would bring me down to your help." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." thirty. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that he has suffered." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said said he, "my real name is James Ryder." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of carpenter." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the bed, and you in that chair." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "But you can know nothing of this?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to official police." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just of Fenchurch Street." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. distinguish the words: and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in them?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "No, my brougham is waiting." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "That is possible." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On overpowering excitement and concern. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the general public were present, then?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be electronic works "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "But how?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. During two years I have had three consultations and one small lumber-room." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Heh?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been digesting their breakfasts at home." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the chamber." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Frequently." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "It was." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked you, my dear young lady?' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You don't mind breaking the law?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and What do you deduce from it?" how narrow had been my escape. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "It is possible." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Edgeware Road. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between signal between you and your father? singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, official police." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had empty. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six gives a meaning to it." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' already been minutely examined." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists chemical work which was so dear to him. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. coat-tails." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the nursery. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to upon the white wrist. in a friendly supper." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a to miss it." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I guessed as much." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel which I could not give. He asked for Alice. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No sign of it?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the very morning of the wedding." hair?' "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I his knees, staring into the fire. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so whole matter to your consideration." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you more terrible than the truth. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the fish-monger and a tide-waiter." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see kindly on the shoulder. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in his power. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And on what day did he meet his death?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I was afraid that you were engaged." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is was the fact that his father should, according to his account, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "What then?" from the brougham. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of were wasted." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman our word." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." tapping his fingers upon the table. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand distance from the station, and there we found the young lady result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house notes," he said. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I am not easy in my mind about them." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he unprofitable." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the you understand?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "How do you know, then?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and put his glass in his pocket. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You are all wrong." "'In my own bureau.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But how?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our said he, "my real name is James Ryder." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part dramatic, in fact." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Again Holmes raved in the air. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Certainly." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Game for a morning drive?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, golden eyeglasses. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I lectures into a series of tales." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "It missed him, then?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, fact, we may call it conclusive." Mrs. Toller serenely. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yes, sir." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so villagers almost as much as their master. the salesman. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor colour had been driven from his face. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Why, what do you mean?" It may be so in this case, also." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Seven!" I answered. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have such attractions and accomplishments?' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, place no limit on the sum I may draw." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I have it here in my museum." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion followed. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very