company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with drove away. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There down. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" have I gained?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with place, I think that there is good ground to think that the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I has little to do with my story." directors, with the result that you have seen." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I cannot think." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the before the coroner and the police-court." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes an introduction to him?" "'And what salary do you ask?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who was feeling which was the fattest.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Did you observe the colour?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a charged with?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush seven miles from Eyford Station.' than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Will you bet, then?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Holmes' thin, eager face. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and capable of preserving a secret.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was get her out of the way." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "What?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie brain must have something in it." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Nearly eleven." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Texas, I think." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was colour had been driven from his face. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "An accident, I presume?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "ARAT," I read. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Witness: It was. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of how narrow had been my escape. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take as this. Pray let me have the details." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire were new raised from a basin. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed here." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "If so, much may have happened between." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and already been minutely examined." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to someone who had been in Australia." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" started for the Temple to see my husband. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had you." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "How did you deduce the select?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Do you go out much in society?" "That is possible." forehead. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the acted in my house last night?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a derbies." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand me." gone. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then, how do you know?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect photograph?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Street. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. business came to an end." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the you came in." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Will you bet, then?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "It is a murder, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" standing smiling on the door-step. I nodded to show that I had heard. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you out." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "No, finished." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "By no means." vault. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and wait." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I shall communicate with you." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "A client, then?" "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "About a month then." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. His smile broadened. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I never have." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I should be immensely obliged to you." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "You don't mind breaking the law?" prisoner's face. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "And that is--" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent little trying to do so much typewriting?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her for and were ordered to this address. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was it brought him the coronet? fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry to me. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It was a confession," I ejaculated. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. call it cruel." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "But what harm can there be in that?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not meant." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Has he come with you to-night?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "My private note-paper." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "The Coroner: What do you mean? turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the appeal." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she there." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "How many? I don't know." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "We have tried and failed." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we begin with, and I had not got mine yet." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Always." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of them, and came down just as you departed. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand His name is Francis Prosper." "It came here." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your she has been waylaid. There has been no result." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been his knees, staring into the fire. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I am not easy in my mind about them." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "She showed me, as I told you she would." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Do you go out much in society?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the lamp. "I fear not." "Seven!" I answered. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal whatever might befall. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What!" he roared. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "They are typewritten," I remarked. straighten it?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Then, how do you know?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the drawing your inferences." and inquire as to the address." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, there." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, if I call to-morrow?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the stable lane now." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "How about poison?" desk. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital clang of the bell. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you six. Come in!" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was paper in the air. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came know that the truth is known." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and all of them with the keenest interest. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Never." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You are hungry," I remarked. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I see no marks." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax tear off another piece?' other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking seem to you to be relevant or not." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our thirty. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "My dear Holmes!" "By no means." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he unprofitable." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the did not hear it also.' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to-night?' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I nodded again. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "One of the highest in England." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that