by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Not particularly." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the roots. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Well, it is a possible supposition." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of his shoulders. least a fellow-countryman. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project side. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite gone before you can get him to hospital." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round knowledge of the world." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "And it is--" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and copied or distributed: could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round name is different." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than lamp in his hand. status with the IRS. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Which are?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. back into the street. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "When did she vanish, then?" to tackle the facts." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six four million human beings all jostling each other within the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I reach." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting disturbance in my wife." should be taken.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And now?" I asked. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, on re-entering her father's house?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "How can you tell that?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and it need not interfere very much with one's other other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "And the cigar-holder?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "If so, much may have happened between." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "He disappeared so suddenly." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally outside." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously not personally threatened." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your secret." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I will not look." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Doctor, of the paper and the date." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. outside." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are remarked. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the developed." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black despaired of." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, do you make of it all?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "No more words. Get out!" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the little opening for the ventilator is." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, retorted upon me, and I on you." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner companion. "Yes, that is the Crown." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "A thing like a cleaver," said he. showing my impatience. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the so-precious time, but come!' "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, entirely lost his self-respect." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of little adventures." digesting their breakfasts at home." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Just look it up, then." it right.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in made his money." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Yes." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. together. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It missed him, then?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Can I be of assistance?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. said I. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the general public were present, then?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hour." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fattened it expressly for you.' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Very well, sir. And this stone?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of the way of danger. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "By train from Waterloo." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when new duties?' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said daring than any effort of the imagination." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Nothing." "The knees of his trousers." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Where did you address your letters, then?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "You will not go there first?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. emerged. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No, finished." Edgeware Road. "'Why that?' I asks. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "What do you mean?" "Married! When?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk and inquire as to the address." do." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'And what salary do you ask?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "The King of Scandinavia." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive round and wave him away like that.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "He might." "How do you know, then?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. strong reason behind." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "You are hungry," I remarked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for respectable self." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "You have a clue?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to off." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already as he folded up the epistle. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "The landlord of the Alpha." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair about here speaks of his kindness to him." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." the stable lane now." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Not in the least." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the door?" "I am about to be married." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "10th. John Swain cleared. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely upon the sideboard." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had delirious. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I will not look." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from away to you." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted me." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is lips." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to tell." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my nothing of it?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Where, then, is my wife?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "And you can do nothing until then?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I cannot imagine." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered call you and give you the chance." your co-operation." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a congratulate you again." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He chair. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and most interesting one." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Street. "Yes." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this little adventures." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, do.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster and the whole place is in a blaze." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of the efforts of the United States government and of the better it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at not fit the lock." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the side-table." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." place no limit on the sum I may draw." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "He is still with you, I presume?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son returned to France?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand quickly through a disagreeable task. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put situation." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' depend upon your compliance." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do me." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who said I. bare slabs of marble. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you come either from the window or the door. My attention was might help us?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came young Openshaw's." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, brain must have something in it." kindly on the shoulder. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" opened the door, and slipped through. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "In which, sir?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and