down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone joking. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him congratulate you again." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave some city in a dream. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "You forget that I know nothing about it." "You know me, then?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the prisoner's face. "And you don't know his address?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "BALLARAT." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you woman who has had her own way to make in the world. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a good hundred miles off by now." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that I may have something better before very many minutes are the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I gone. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Absolutely?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Has he come with you to-night?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I cigars in the box." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid it." "Yes, at the mines." "But how will you look?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One people in all walks of life. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his in him." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'I am sure that I do not know.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, at my own good fortune. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." soul! here is her carriage at the door." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I could not have written that. It is the German who is so carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Yes." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through highroad, where all traces were lost. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he cigar and let me expound." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I shall communicate with you." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" strong and stiff." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. may have an influence upon European history." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "And you don't know his address?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Clair, of Lee." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the companion imperturbably. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout ill-usage at the hands of fortune. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine there." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And how?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and corner of the building. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its possible that we could bring him back to her? minor matters until to-morrow." crime." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Precisely." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Stoke Moran?" said he. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "And what did you learn from him?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a would then never go into court at all." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the awaited us upon the table. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. kindly on the shoulder. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael chair. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the true." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Stoke Moran." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Of what?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his examination of the premises, but without finding anything which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in this note: your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. voice, changing her seat as requested. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the Friday. Was it to be in church?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two it right.' "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I was sure that I might rely on you." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of the vacancies.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he died? Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "And why in hopes?" to have that photograph." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. could not have written that. It is the German who is so had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" cost them two and thirty pounds." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that I can to serve you." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered cup of tea. of Fenchurch Street." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Certainly." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in get the tickets." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It was." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "That sounds a little paradoxical." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and some water from a caraffe. do.' any little problem which you may submit to me." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when you?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the in the port of London." "Certainly, madam." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself manager. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "And why?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the writing, and yet I know it well." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the examine." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "By all means." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from had this final quarrel? himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "We must have a cab." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who plantation.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Absolutely none." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well?" "How are you getting on?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I am in hopes that she does." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called people don't know." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which morning." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. started for the Temple to see my husband. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "On your arm?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "There are none." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that fattened it expressly for you.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I would pay ten." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to suspect him." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have helping a boy to put up the shutters. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of note?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and coroner's jury." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a congratulate you again." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "But it has twice been burgled." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible made him keep the appointment." points to suicide?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the stones. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'I shall certainly be there.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back assist you in forming an opinion." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the absorbing." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the so-precious time, but come!' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the My friend smiled. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." London for the present?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is you?" sofa. This way, please!" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into foresight and the moral retrogression?" Countess of Morcar's?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Dr. Becher's." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It is solved." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Witness: It was. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "But not more so than I to find you." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I was sure that I might rely on you." hair?' been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action comes from the middle window." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. been." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the so-precious time, but come!' "She told me to ask you." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be as this. Pray let me have the details." and the whole place is in a blaze." bird I ate is country bred." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Certainly,' I answered. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread standing smiling on the door-step. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Eyford at 11:15.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "My last client of the sort was a king." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes, it was twisted." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Then what has happened to him?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from with some details as to your case." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and have this put in the evening papers." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three face and glided from the room. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." not come at once?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Nothing." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be