wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I have my revolver," said I. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my whole matter to your consideration." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy upon the shelf for the interim." the very morning of the wedding." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would companion quietly. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there definite end. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to individual and becomes the badge of a society." my little problems." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of it with the greatest attention. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "How did you trace it, then?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert never came back." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "What! You do not mean bodies?" rooms." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "9th. McCauley cleared. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Then I can wait in the next room." to have been novel and of interest." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Oh, fresh and glossy." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "It is possible." it means?" drawing your inferences." Clair, of Lee." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do light and attacked it." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Well." "It is possible." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the everything which you would wish to know." "Never." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" conclusions. II. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Why did you pick him?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Only as much as we can deduce." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the must compliment you." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and But Holmes shook his head gravely. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds directors have had misgivings upon the subject." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Where, then?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I will do it." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "That is it on the dressing-table." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be straightened it out again. fear." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Serpentine Avenue. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then affection." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "And what did you learn from him?" that you can jump it.' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Certainly." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard heavily into it. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a my room." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'In my own bureau.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Ah!" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from would then never go into court at all." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "A call for help, you thought?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided point in the dark hollow of his hand. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your until night should bring an explanation. "Pray do so." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a hard-headed British jury." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has go back?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief nonsense.' Stoke Moran." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Have you her photograph?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. anything to do with the matter?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his it." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and feature." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when You want to know what became of those geese?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it which it had come upon my father." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Yes." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money believe that I should never have any practice at all. chambers. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "But how?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Thank you. And your address?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, straightened it out again. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I will not look." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own her also." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "The murder was done with it." read it out to me." which our visitor detailed to us. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "We must sit without light. He would see it through the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not when you have done it." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly read over the extraordinary announcement. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But she could not love him." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted had picked up in the wood. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one get her out of the way." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I business in the City. She little knew what. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her help us in this matter." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to round and wave him away like that.' and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he know all about it," he snarled. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Precisely." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is no ordinary one." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from morning." thought that she would have been so carried away." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of read it out to me." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "How did you trace it, then?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be crime." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he away into the river." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks side. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "He said too much." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. the Assizes." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Why? What do you mean?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Pray do so." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Nor running a chance of arrest?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you characteristics, but those are the more obvious." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Mary, has deserted me." "What then?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. British peeress.'" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let anything to do with the matter?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "No, I am descending." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to seen the man in the road." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door back alive. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Then you may entirely rely on me." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Most admirably.' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. one's self under obligations.' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? business came to an end." hair?' forecastle of an emigrant ship. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not there!' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of you." "But what is it you wish?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, detective. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Munro.' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "That is possible." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they morning." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "So I am. Very much so." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. less than 26s. 4d. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was just ask you whether you had heard it.' intrusion of other matters." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "VIOLET HUNTER." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the a room. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to affect your life." "You will not go there first?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with her." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Yes, sir." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." already been minutely examined." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in