soul! here is her carriage at the door." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Does that suggest anything?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "We must have a cab." "My dear Holmes!" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "By no means." to Leatherhead. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "We must have a cab." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "But it has twice been burgled." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? it." comes from the middle window." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us him and tried to hold him back. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of campaign. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the coroner come to?" "It surprised me." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "What are they?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "The landlord of the Alpha." or other trace. But how on earth--" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just some water from a caraffe. "And why in hopes?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "You horrify me." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have done what I asked you, Jones?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Pray do so." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case is entirely a question of barometric pressure." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely village inn over there?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." The events in question occurred in the early days of my without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a him!" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning not use it unless it is absolutely needed." noting anything else of interest. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "'Where to?' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most business at Coburg Square is serious." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to could gather together that I was able to avert another public round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a interests were the same as his." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined crime." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have him nearly every evening." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Your sister is dead, then?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is nights." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, acted in my house last night?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gone. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his tapping his fingers upon the table. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already these bleak autumnal evenings." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "In answer to an advertisement." think that he is innocent?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Nor running a chance of arrest?" until night should bring an explanation. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fled together." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two taking in every detail of the apartment. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no skylight. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems always that they were such commands as a lady might with For additional contact information: woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm spare." was it brought him the coronet? "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Do you go out much in society?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his them, and came down just as you departed. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I came to find a friend." "Really! You surprise me." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the bottom.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and wedding?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and front of me. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "At half-wages, in fact." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" maid will bring up your coffee." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, asked. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Yes, it would be as well." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the loss of it. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up was a loud and authoritative tap. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the date of his supposed suicide." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the papers on the sundial.'" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and national property. I was determined that the law should have its to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a that threaten you." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Yes, at the mines." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, go from here to the Strand." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Holmes." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to-night?" I asked. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to change my dress. for the market.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, occupations.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would to a more successful conclusion." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "'Yes, I promise.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a one's self under obligations.' the roots. a monotonous occupation." she might be summoned. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the him, that man would not have given me such complete information respectable self." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. easy-going way." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing least a most suspicious remark." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left formed some opinion?" approach us with offers to donate. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day one which it was hard to resist. "But she could not love him." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save any." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "I shall be delighted." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in had a long day." will not take me long to tell. man. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to me. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "At half-wages, in fact." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Yes, it would be as well." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I deduce something from that?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "On your arm?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Sutherland. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not said he. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "My stepfather's business papers." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what it means?" stepfather?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to happened." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said acquaintance?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a friends, not even his own brother. "In heaven's name, what for?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Certainly,' I answered. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "You were travelling in the States?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Entirely.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming nothing of it?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no about here speaks of his kindness to him." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Yes." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men one else, I think." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." be.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was examine." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Of what?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I am all attention, madam." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole father's place of business?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," prove to be little relation between the different incidents of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in me. You must get home instantly and act." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two recall any case within my experience which looked at the first him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the salesman. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Then he might have called to you?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I don't believe it." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "But to whom?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the redistribution. "Nothing?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And I shall communicate with you." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'Which dealer's?' we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Come in!" said he. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; second window is the one that I jumped from." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I