to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "And that is--" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, papers diligently of late, have you not?" McCarthy." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the morning and make my own way in the world.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down information in his hands the value of which he did not himself brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and your relations to her." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the coroner come to?" "But his left-handedness." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with some details as to your case." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to introspective fashion. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned helping a boy to put up the shutters. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the running down." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." giving me time to thank him. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "And did you observe any change in her then?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and the colonel ushered me in. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in meanly of me." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in his eyes and forehead. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "I cannot tell." "The gentleman I describe." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him other, as fresh and trim as possible. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And did you observe any change in her then?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so call for protection in the marriage market, for the present waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain voice. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "How many? I don't know." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be observed. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Ten to two.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Pope's Court, Fleet Street." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "It was an hour's good drive." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most tied." acquaintance?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shoulder; "he's all right." will he say when he returns?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks case before our client came into the room." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House this Miss Turner." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. of." already referred to. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, make me his representative both with the servants and with the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not 11:15.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Has he come with you to-night?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Really! You surprise me." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of them has the shutters up.' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'Yes, it was gone.' face and glided from the room. "Were they all fastened this morning?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "What have you to say now?" advice." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH conceal it?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Mrs. Toller serenely. shaken than I had ever seen him. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." page at http://pglaf.org "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining conduct the inquiry." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was made him keep the appointment." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was see a sister of mine apply for." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving indeed which he could not unravel. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "An accident, I presume?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch question," said Holmes, smiling. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked notes," he said. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past miles off. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear yourselves in at night?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon a handsome competence. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, key of the affair now." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any clanging. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of your sleep?' "Thank you. And your address?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was green of the new foliage. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant wall." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Entirely." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled village inn over there?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place do.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "It is a murder, then?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "No." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hour." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a young Openshaw's." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical cost them two and thirty pounds." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the up this clue while it is still hot." one of them." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud meanly of me." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, dramatic, in fact." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see peculiar to him. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I am all attention, madam." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "My last client of the sort was a king." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed introspective fashion. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "When did it break out?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we joking. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. where she found matters as described by the last witness. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? unprecedented a position." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. evidence," I remarked. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Then, as to money?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man your most interesting statement." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "10th. John Swain cleared. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, note?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Pray tell us what has happened to you." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we up this clue while it is still hot." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still in this way: that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank think, you have already met." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and suddenly upon us." "I will, Miss Turner." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go You want to know what became of those geese?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a detained." "What can you not understand?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the detective. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Then the page we have seen--" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and felt?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Why did you beat the pavement?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the in a very precise fashion." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Mrs. Toller serenely. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was this Miss Turner." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "One horse?" interjected Holmes. call the police, let the police find what they can.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Yes, only one." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I that threaten you." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had criminal. We have already had experience of such." confronted him. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water read it out to me." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hopeless attempt at recovering them." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings away into the river." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Yes." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of he bowed and left the room without another word. "I am armed." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can not personally threatened." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' sufficient punishment." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and and put his glass in his pocket. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged keep the flames under. "To an end?"