There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "That you are never beaten." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn man. I know him from the photograph." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its electronic works suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may already been minutely examined." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a here." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Why did you pick him?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "No sign of it?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What can it mean?" I gasped. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "No, I am descending." Heh?' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the fishes. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Very. But will he see it?" should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I cannot tell." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. asked. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending depend upon my doing so.' a little more before I quite committed myself. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with conclusions. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And that is--" than to us. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss through." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "And your mother is alive?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the shaken than I had ever seen him. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. lips." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No good news?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened at home. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." breakfast?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to occupations.' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now locked." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled furiously. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I will, Miss Turner." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "If so, much may have happened between." nonsense.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned His smile broadened. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, voice, changing her seat as requested. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "My last client of the sort was a king." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the general public were present, then?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Did you become engaged then?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it success. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, vanished into the darkness. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when there has been an enclosure here!" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bearing upon the case." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am been deceived." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I lost his Christmas dinner." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, flock.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "It's nothing of the kind." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear once more on the important position which you have been fortunate 11:15.' "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and said he. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "He might." vanished into the darkness. questionable one." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept into the bag, and made for the door. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Have you good authority for what you say?" your most interesting statement." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "From his hat?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And help." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "No, finished." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a locked." digesting their breakfasts at home." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Absolutely?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! might help us?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "And help." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Watson," he said cordially. "No. What a strange idea!" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" said I. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the there!' "It's nothing of the kind." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott said he, "my real name is James Ryder." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Street. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Have you her photograph?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every rooms." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Then what has happened to him?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which this man was intellectual?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all arms and began to sob in a high treble key. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become him to be an active member of the medical profession." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready so.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Not particularly." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. residence of the great financier. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Nothing." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to take care of herself." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under present." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." both be extremely obliged.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Street. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! once more to my work. "You don't mind breaking the law?" time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to seen the man in the road." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Doctor, of the paper and the date." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room advice." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will something of him before." side. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you other lovers by making love himself." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah where we are going." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "And how did you verify them?" jewels which you have stolen?' where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety if only as a check to my own memory." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "My photograph." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy congenial hunt. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who figure." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped unprecedented a position." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need humiliation." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "What steps will you take?" I asked. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Then I shall certainly come." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy for and were ordered to this address. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and that quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "'Never,' said I. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing chemical work which was so dear to him. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I beg pardon." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Clair, of Lee." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her some city in a dream. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of it with the greatest attention. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do be. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Where, indeed?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than at my remark. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. made him keep the appointment." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked call for protection in the marriage market, for the present yards of it?' "'I shall certainly be there.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon may never be exposed to such a temptation." "By no means." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight I think that I could be of assistance to you." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." some terrible trap for her." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek points to suicide?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, from you?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel without success. At last the little money which I had saved began A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Where to?" wedding?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "How many? I don't know." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof my room." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had colour had been driven from his face. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an