usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that third from London." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'It is locked up,' I answered. noble correspondent could be. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "On Monday." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon it." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which floor. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days people don't know." allusion to a rat. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and recover the gem." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the bottom.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with her." formed some opinion?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You don't mind breaking the law?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." to Leatherhead. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would brought there to personate someone, and the real person is every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed question you as to those details which seem to me to be most married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable I took the paper from him and read as follows: have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working have not had my rubber." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got said he. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot beyond words. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his for securing the situation." there." Holmes." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to only touch the interest." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "About a month then." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the new duties?' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the maiden herself was most instructive." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away and wait." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Sutherland. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat do.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Is he quiet?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But what harm can there be in that?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things so.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after My friend smiled. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "How can you tell that?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in in his hands." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." one's self under obligations.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. presume?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after within hail.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Not him." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. chair. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Then I am your man." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "That is it on the dressing-table." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Holmes' face clouded over. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your into the bag, and made for the door. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the cigars in the box." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had meant." strong reason behind." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I never have." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with became a certainty. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in possible that we could bring him back to her? "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well?" Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower which are rolled in Rotterdam." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is to-night." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the you give your casting vote to?" to a more successful conclusion." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled shadow pass over his face as I spoke. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course existence." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the shoulder; "he's all right." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his huge brown hands. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "That is possible." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ago." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I salesman. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was friend's singular character. it." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Where, indeed?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may down in his armchair and closing his eyes. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a never will be, entirely cleared up. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear that he will be back before evening." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Not in a good cause." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" in my life." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a from you?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the appointment with me for six o'clock?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Why that?' I asks. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of your young ladies.' that?' "Then I can wait in the next room." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. forehead. undoubtedly my uncle's." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out is now desirous of getting those letters back." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'About the same.' Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told papers on the sundial.'" "Texas, I think." "My last client of the sort was a king." "To the police?" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical is four-and-twenty." drove away. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." soul! here is her carriage at the door." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a residence of the great financier. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "What then?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do a monotonous occupation." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most way in everything. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the would apply.' gone. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it right.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a what these perils are?" furiously. my former friend and companion. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "That also I could fathom." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I am to be neutral?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave bare slabs of marble. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend electronic works "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman him!" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And now?" He raised his hand. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece astonishment. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with heavy and sharp instrument." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "And that is--" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Not yet." "Upon what point?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." look dissatisfied." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly business?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "I am in hopes that she does." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but answer." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have accepted such a situation. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid manager. hard-headed British jury." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hard-headed British jury." "Breckinridge is his name." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own pictures, libraries, or plate. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "My dear Holmes!" Doctor, of the paper and the date." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I maiden herself was most instructive." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any remarked. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a despaired of." question. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is enough to aid us in our search." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the something of him before." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully how narrow had been my escape. Doctor, of the paper and the date." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the dangers which encompass me." "What of the rat, then?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's made him keep the appointment." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. became a certainty. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly DISSOLVED. away into the river." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Where is it, then?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Thank you. And your address?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always name is different." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived bears upon the case?" I nodded to show that I had heard. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I