at a side door. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a night.' said he. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Precisely so. But how--" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I nodded again. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the Friday. Was it to be in church?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You than was visible to me." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in during that time.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord You want to know what became of those geese?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of security.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert here and I will read it to you: half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Really! You surprise me." "Yes." during which he might have communicated with his friend the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "In which, sir?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left mysterious end." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had London for the present?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my noting anything else of interest. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Mrs. Toller serenely. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be it were putty." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of very old mansion. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he acquaintance?" out of this horrible affair." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had presented more singular features than that which was associated of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Surrey." there!' "'Very good.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what followed. For additional contact information: stammered. spare." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the this Miss Turner." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the my former friend and companion. fuss that is made over them." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "That's no good." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly and that he would see to anything that turned up. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I third from London." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, manager. chambers. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Why, what do you mean?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the stable lane now." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin so.' her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Not him." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." advice." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a his fortune, and I went back to pa. Arthur Conan Doyle my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open served to weaken the effect. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows lost nothing by them." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "That also I could fathom." "'Never.' you." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "If so, much may have happened between." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "ARAT," I read. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Upon what point?" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to despair." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, assist you in forming an opinion." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "What then?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I was sure that I might rely on you." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were bed dies. Does not that strike you?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "When did it break out?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And who is her maid?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went completely overtopped every other consideration that we both there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "How did you deduce the select?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "But what is it you wish?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, all." retorted upon me, and I on you." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door tightly behind him. "When did it break out?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a strength in the others." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in will he say when he returns?" case-book, which he consulted. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "So I am. Very much so." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to foot. cause to be." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles lost his Christmas dinner." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first better in every way that they should make their position a little chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were people in all walks of life. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and crime." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes face and glided from the room. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "But what is it you wish?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to where he stood hid behind the curtain. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second visitors." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious lamp. beg that you will break it off." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of that there was nothing in it, after all." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." you." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Never." "Not in a good cause." "I cannot imagine." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our until night should bring an explanation. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What?" "I am all attention, madam." door?" "None. Neville wrote those words." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds asked with his eyes open. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far in this way: "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a to tell." and looked back. "It is very kind of you." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" heavy and sharp instrument." and capable of preserving a secret.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not client, rising. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, never will be, entirely cleared up. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, her also." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between information in his hands the value of which he did not himself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and inquire as to the address." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the me what he had done with the three missing stones. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The approach us with offers to donate. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down there." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "But she will refuse." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in darkness. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed breakfast." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' that I may have something better before very many minutes are among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "No. What a strange idea!" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Countess of Morcar's?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And why?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the excitement. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "About a month then." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you him nearly every evening." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for most interesting one." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that was a perfect sample of the class. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in case-book, which he consulted. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. one's self under obligations.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and put his glass in his pocket. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's detained." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "To ruin me." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hour." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "What do you mean?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been drawing your inferences." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he all that?" orange pips. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence on in his house." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then I do not see the point." "He said too much." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "And it is--" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The