black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking here." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "What will you do, then?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I shall communicate with you." distinguish the words: "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his prisoner's face. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Yes, at the mines." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in the port of London." "A client, then?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Certainly." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Pray do so." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Has he come with you to-night?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Serpentine Avenue. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you call you and give you the chance." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "I will try. What is it?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to lost his Christmas dinner." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the questionable one." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Have you her photograph?" "I answered that I had not. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Frequently." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness grasp, he hurried from the room. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "A client, then?" like that before?" weighed down with some great anxiety. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "At what time?" and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "What is it?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I don't say that. Perhaps." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Yes." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become stepfather?" security.' one else, I think." "'I have already given you my word.' The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the date of his supposed suicide." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "One of the highest in England." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and name is different." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "We have tried and failed." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, States. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Yes." that "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "This photograph!" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his is acting for the best. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I say it is." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all drawing your inferences." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods galvanised. it." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit enter Dr. Roylott's room." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you hopeless attempt at recovering them." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich details." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear sake, don't!" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the imbecility!" he cried. the Assizes." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." results." the station." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Have you it here?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. know that the truth is known." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to beg that you will break it off." my room." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the it. chamber." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an second window is the one that I jumped from." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Then you may be so with me." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and business." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much through." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "You have it, sir, just as it happened." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "But how will you look?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Where to?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I have a cab outside." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis has little to do with my story." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "How on earth--" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such likely to be some crony of the landlady's." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove weary and pale-looking. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you death." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of himself in a perplexing position. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an hard-headed British jury." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next this Miss Turner." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the have I gained?" "One?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Did your wife hear all this?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Where is it, then?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a are windows in it, of course?" showing my impatience. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the outside." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary ago." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a the warnings." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the who was a member of your goose club." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And when will you call?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." security.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. served to weaken the effect. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked memory. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But you were on a friendly footing?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. confronted him. tapping his fingers upon the table. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I closing the door. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' you." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the following enigmatical notices: "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "About a month then." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime certainly not very gracious." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What can you not understand?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the business at Coburg Square is serious." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that my little problems." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty depend upon my doing so.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the up this clue while it is still hot." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Yes, there are nearly always some there." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of again, where I was soon asleep. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the as he remarks, very much against the son." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making open." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Will you bet, then?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle chill to my heart. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had one's self under obligations.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding always that they were such commands as a lady might with the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Did he not advertise?" experiences." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by this Miss Turner." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Miss Holder?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our more terrible than the truth. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Nothing?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Quite sure, dad.' there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to you." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His sound at heart." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' friends, not even his own brother. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and glanced through. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Why that?' I asks. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in key of the affair now." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Perhaps we may make them less so." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good made him keep the appointment." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "What!" he roared. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for you give your casting vote to?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the nursery. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered.