"Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk into the bag, and made for the door. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Yes, at the mines." "Who was the criminal, then?" Street. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. fact, we may call it conclusive." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "By no means." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such of." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "But how?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Then, how do you know?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to have been novel and of interest." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of chill to my heart. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was a lad." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. case-book, which he consulted. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope there is a decided draught." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have frequently gained my first real insight into the character of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of went to the Alpha were town bred." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Really! You surprise me." "I cannot think." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Imitated." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she asked. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "And the cigar-holder?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "To ruin me." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. some city in a dream. sound at heart." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Stoke Moran?" said he. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his it." "Yes, I have one waiting." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must other, as fresh and trim as possible. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, only one." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must him nearly every evening." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Did your wife hear all this?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "At what time?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Holmes. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. status with the IRS. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the secret." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "That's no good." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' in his hands." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that threaten you." the child." man. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Yes.' his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting less than 26s. 4d. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and put his glass in his pocket. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which if only as a check to my own memory." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but other lovers by making love himself." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "When did it break out?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done past. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my depend upon my doing so.' lost nothing by them." I approached. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward in the dead of the night?' jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Then the page we have seen--" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. to a more successful conclusion." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ready to-morrow?' "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and I shall be with you presently." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, papers on the sundial.'" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I cannot imagine." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the what these perils are?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers 11:15.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. telegram would bring me down to your help." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Where does the thing come from?' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Was she in good spirits?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "What then?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with had this final quarrel? it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the client, rising. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, affection." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Do you know him?" "I will get her to show me." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Absolutely none." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the particular state visit http://pglaf.org "The decline of his fortunes, then?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." read over the extraordinary announcement. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. me have 200 pounds?' screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "So I heard. You have him here?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" was not a bird to be seen there. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until remarked. "Deserted you?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. go from here to the Strand." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the coronet in his hand?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "That you are never beaten." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted question," said Holmes, smiling. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at there was no need for father to know." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying envelope. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It missed him, then?" quite distinctive." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the him to go away.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes' thin, eager face. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged reach." "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant helping a boy to put up the shutters. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City assist you in forming an opinion." "To the police?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his he. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and residence of the great financier. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Then you may entirely rely on me." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Pope's Court. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. only touch the interest." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in I was concerned in it." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. ourselves in the office." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." way in." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of walking." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and it need not interfere very much with one's other loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. hard-headed British jury." quick march!" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hour." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, had picked up in the wood. feature." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he morning." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, closely." in the port of London." letters?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Bought." know that the truth is known." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the congenial hunt. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be hopeless attempt at recovering them." business came to an end." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in a very precise fashion." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was once confined in the cab my mission was practically his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner