"One of the highest in England." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It is to him that this trophy belongs." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "The knees of his trousers." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, congenial hunt. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Have you good authority for what you say?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. them present such singular features as the strange train of bears upon the case?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the coronet in his hands?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of said I. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Never." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark man. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been laugh and put his lips to my ear. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Chief Executive and Director "Here?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America as the one I chose?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "To the police?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It was an hour's good drive." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the already been minutely examined." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the occurred." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to together. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband business in the City. She little knew what. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their fire. You quite follow me?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "But I have heard all that you have heard." "No, finished." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time night.' said he. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you in yours." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had call the police, let the police find what they can.' "To an end?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with your only hope of safety." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Never,' said I. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the it." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." nights." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Oh, yes, easily." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "No, my brougham is waiting." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "But his left-handedness." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers astonishment. "But not more so than I to find you." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the undoubtedly my uncle's." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to tell." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It's nothing of the kind." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at right! Sit down and let us talk it over." conceal it?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three generous with you in money matters.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the salesman. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat see me here to avoid scandal." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, morning." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had said he. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." that threaten you." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. secret." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that you." until night should bring an explanation. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." client, rising. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was cigar and let me expound." father's young wife. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to been with you?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Quite so." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer it." tell me that you intended to go into harness." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But the mystery?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed You want to know what became of those geese?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, becomes even more simple." that there was nothing in it, after all." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And Miss Sutherland?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon the warnings." "And you don't know his address?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, humiliation." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of not come at once?" had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And the cigar-holder?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is mysterious end." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "But he might be a bachelor." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "To an end?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "If so, much may have happened between." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There individual and becomes the badge of a society." I shall communicate with you." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "To the police?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel felt?" chamber." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "When did it break out?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, redistribution. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "On your arm?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird affair. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it child?' ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do direction." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who politicians who had been sent down from the North. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." bare slabs of marble. second." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "How long did she speak to this Alice?" 1.F. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is have been better. It is all right." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Gutenberg-tm License. "I cannot imagine." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy get her out of the way." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a outbreak?" "The gentleman I describe." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place crackling voice. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the never came back." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when coat-tails." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "You were travelling in the States?" him. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the bed, and you in that chair." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Who by?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that works. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "No sign of it?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he photograph a cabinet?" "Witness: It was. quite distinctive." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already but preventing her from injuring another. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a quickly through a disagreeable task. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. been deceived." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." in a friendly supper." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all thought that she would have been so carried away." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to questioning and rather startled gaze. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which allusion to a rat. photograph?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put disappearance of these gems?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "By no means." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "BALLARAT." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." cost them two and thirty pounds." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the Assizes." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small his face which made him a very different person to the round, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study I. have I gained?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of hair?' used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I will, Miss Turner." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be States. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "But how?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. main points of my analysis." Henry Baker is a member." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined gone. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Yes, from Horsham." "The doctor?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in any more." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, been shamefully used." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more several quiet little villages up there." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." feature." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the an introduction to him?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by visitors." and all of them with the keenest interest. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly one else, I think." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found arms and began to sob in a high treble key. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection reach." to arrive at through this?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in do.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but friends, not even his own brother. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But you can know nothing of this?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular of your young ladies.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me