of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "No?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and a monotonous occupation." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just night.' said he. miles off. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and your only hope of safety." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sparkled upon his finger. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it my little problems." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." husband's writing, madam." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and all of them with the keenest interest. later, upon the night of May 2nd." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was good-night and bustled off upon her way. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But you can know nothing of this?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, October 9, 1890. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "No." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I came to find a friend." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a train.' been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday http://www.gutenberg.net we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down generous with you in money matters.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" would then never go into court at all." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the Assizes." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. of the vacancies.' "Yes, he did." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a lost nothing by them." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out do." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until miles off. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have heavily into it. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Perhaps we may make them less so." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, details." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as writing, and yet I know it well." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, it was twisted." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, certainly." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And both be extremely obliged.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." some water from a caraffe. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It looks newer than the other things?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average there were so many in the whole country as were brought together in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of the one which your family is now devouring." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Yes." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only strength of mind to control. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and tell me that you intended to go into harness." "There are none." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "And why in hopes?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" investigation." Cross for the Continent." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Nothing." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you." detained." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his exactly what you advise." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "But we can't all be." how narrow had been my escape. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Holmes, the busybody!" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of good for you to do.' "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over at my own good fortune. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Entirely." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the observed. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If look dissatisfied." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event clang of the bell. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a colonel looking down at me. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "How did he come?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, http://gutenberg.net/license). Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I have come for advice." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it that I am arrested." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "What are they?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so written. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to politicians who had been sent down from the North. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he excitement. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent the date of his supposed suicide." the warnings." "So I heard. You have him here?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the clanging. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the bird I ate is country bred." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will distance from the station, and there we found the young lady always that they were such commands as a lady might with is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." away to you." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' roused himself from his reverie. London for the present?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And help." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have foot. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "You have a clue?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, to tell." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, undoubtedly my uncle's." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that said he. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There could go. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy and have this put in the evening papers." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has unkempt, staring out at me. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Never to return." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we thirty. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that late." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I was mad--insane." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And how did you verify them?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "What! a murderous attack?" I leave." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a speckled band?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." formed some opinion?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness within hail.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of 1.E.9. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "How do you know, then?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this that he will be back before evening." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "But you have hopes?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And how have you succeeded?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Where, then, is my wife?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, soul! here is her carriage at the door." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and results." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. power." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly affection." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that John Swain, of St. Augustine. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "And now?" He raised his hand. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "My opinion is in no way altered." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, a good hundred miles off by now." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in used to be." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time I think that I could be of assistance to you." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from 'I should be able to look after that for you.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in had picked up in the wood. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for with frightened eyes at his accuser. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided that you can jump it.' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but