a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback daring than any effort of the imagination." "No. What a strange idea!" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "The vanishing of the lady." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at have not had my rubber." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "How did that help you?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet his wife has ceased to love him." lectures into a series of tales." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow against a man in the prime of life?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel him to go away.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies and no precautions can guard against." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but placed his cuttings. "I fear not." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Then I am your man." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it eavesdroppers?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been unprofitable." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "How many? I don't know." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Ah, but I was recommended to you." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, speckled band?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I families. Now for the facts. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, morning." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. matter over." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Oh, no.' "This concluded the examination of the witness." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "But you can know nothing of this?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and them present such singular features as the strange train of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Farm upon the left." "Seven!" I answered. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I attention." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the ran thus: photograph?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "She showed me, as I told you she would." "But his left-handedness." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us excitement. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Entirely." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with annoyance, but no jest. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Nothing." chance." yet." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look at my own good fortune. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, this Miss Turner." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wedding?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. any more." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "But what harm can there be in that?" an introduction to him?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'Which dealer's?' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the coroner's jury." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that question," said Holmes, smiling. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." with frightened eyes at his accuser. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It to miss it." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Yes." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Literary Archive Foundation "How on earth--" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to showing my impatience. records." "I don't believe it." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "How on earth--" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "And how have you succeeded?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with could gather together that I was able to avert another public Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you experiences." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as vanished into the darkness. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his overpowering excitement and concern. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I distinguish the words: he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "What?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed entirely devoid of interest." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and burst out into a roar of laughter. of his shoulders. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it politicians who had been sent down from the North. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, whatever might befall. "That is not always so easy." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "You have but to name it." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly directly by questioning you." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a you." papers on the sundial.'" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Her father is very rich?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." better grown goose." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves James Windibank. Voilà tout!" him." wedding?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "On Monday." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk developed." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm introspective fashion. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who room. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was awaited us upon the table. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Sutherland?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope started for the Temple to see my husband. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium bed dies. Does not that strike you?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This suspect him." "No bad?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I himself. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I guessed as much." "Have you her photograph?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "How do you know, then?" dates and names. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You detained." experiences." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And help." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'I shall certainly be there.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I should like to see him very much." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "She walked into the breakfast-room." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out garden below. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in call for it in person on Monday morning.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Why that?' I asks. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "By all means." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, feature." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the daring than any effort of the imagination." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wedding?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "And I to find an enemy." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" will not take me long to tell. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Deserted you?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Edgeware Road. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Mary, has deserted me." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the matters immensely." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor not as remarkable as your advertisement." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Yes, it was gone.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out child?' "What then?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fattened it expressly for you.' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague newspaper selections." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, know what is wrong with it.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "You were travelling in the States?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the present." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Have you it here?" "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our questioning and rather startled gaze. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the your troubles." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Really! You surprise me." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but any little problem which you may submit to me." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though we went to search for him, face downward in a little speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "What will you say?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "What are they?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual been lifted and conveyed somewhere." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Witness: It was. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a is so. I know all about McCarthy." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get at my own good fortune. "There is the writing." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which if I call to-morrow?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Not yet." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project stammered. your own bird, so if you wish--" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "That is not always so easy." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in the port of London." Where does the thing come from?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just head. So long, then!" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a exactly what you advise." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact right! Sit down and let us talk it over." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the tragedy. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "You did not overhear what they said?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "You think so, too?" business matters.' are, and they are waiting for us." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" have had none more fantastic than this." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's