at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an cup of tea. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shaken than I had ever seen him. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to him." his cane at the bell-pull. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do better grown goose." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "And you thought he was pulled back?" envelope. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "The King of Scandinavia." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I will get her to show me." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into I have it here in my museum." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. any little problem which you may submit to me." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Who by?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "That is unusual in a young girl." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Did he not advertise?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew lost his Christmas dinner." "I should be immensely obliged to you." speckled band?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the coroner's jury." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, writer." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Stolen, then." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her not come at once?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was persecution?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But his lameness?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the is worth.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It golden eyeglasses. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." system of imprisonment?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, tear off another piece?' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "What is it?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Stoke Moran?" said he. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "How about poison?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first at my remark. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me questioning and rather startled gaze. "How often?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "But you have hopes?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my cause to be." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a will be renamed. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "No, my brougham is waiting." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Why did you pick him?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us amused." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There to-morrow." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how voice, changing her seat as requested. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in you came in." status with the IRS. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of one's self under obligations.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "There is the writing." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest late!' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there strong and stiff." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." than was visible to me." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I was concerned in it." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and which we had just quitted. sparkled upon his finger. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine becomes even more simple." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Seven!" I answered. indeed happy." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You have a clue?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the status with the IRS. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the King without delay." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and effective." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "About a month then." "But what is it you wish?" me have 200 pounds?' note?" "It was." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She your co-operation." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "He is still with you, I presume?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I will, Miss Turner." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is villagers almost as much as their master. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Yes, he did." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "I cannot imagine." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time you in yours." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to you, my dear young lady?' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Then the page we have seen--" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "My dear Holmes!" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Clair, of Lee." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience to have been novel and of interest." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said done what I asked you, Jones?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It looks newer than the other things?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the ceiling. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray sparkled upon his finger. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, there are nearly always some there." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is an introduction to him?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Holmes rather sternly. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have your only hope of safety." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent politicians who had been sent down from the North. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "No legal papers or certificates?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the once more to my work. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that there was nothing in it, after all." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "In heaven's name, what for?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "At what time?" and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands know that the truth is known." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He sofa. This way, please!" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very was not a bird to be seen there. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed hardly wander." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she my little problems." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Why? What do you mean?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'I have heard so.' journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house there were so many in the whole country as were brought together savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall any more." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that congenial hunt. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her sufficient punishment." "Seven!" I answered. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Then, as to money?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention not come at once?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Street. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "And for present expenses?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it go--none." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this said Mr. Holder. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'I shall certainly be there.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in with the outside air!" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have over part of the map. "What do you read?" promised to bring home. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "My dear Holmes!" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Is he quiet?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "How did you deduce the select?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to his chemical studies. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not IS rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I details." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it of the one which your family is now devouring." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up sufficient punishment." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "That is it on the dressing-table." "You think so, too?" "Nothing?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are your only hope of safety." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "That sounds a little paradoxical." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Your presence might be invaluable." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to business?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some get the tickets." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." it." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the was a perfect sample of the class. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of assist you in forming an opinion." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Not particularly." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Eyford."