that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind least a most suspicious remark." "And who is her maid?" both be extremely obliged.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and have not had my rubber." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Here?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had to you." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some conduct the inquiry." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'And what salary do you ask?' week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'A dozen yards or so.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from without a word or a look. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the himself in a perplexing position. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands that he will be back before evening." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and lost his Christmas dinner." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock questioning and rather startled gaze. "Will you go?" page at http://pglaf.org with some details as to your case." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday should be so warm over such a trifle." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "And I to find an enemy." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "But your client--" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard call for protection in the marriage market, for the present upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Awake, Watson?" he asked. His name is Francis Prosper." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near very morning of my second wedding." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the ceiling. off." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they papers diligently of late, have you not?" "And for present expenses?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "She told me to ask you." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' acted in my house last night?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I when your master had gone out." read over the extraordinary announcement. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from bled considerably." vanished into the darkness. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see be there in time for your coming." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. His name is Francis Prosper." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round will be renamed. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than use an arc-and-compass breastpin." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong as he folded up the epistle. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening know all about it," he snarled. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as was a perfect sample of the class. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Not in a good cause." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "No legal papers or certificates?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if ran thus: pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the rose-bushes. interest. They are important, you understand, without being Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had me." such person." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the have one." know that the truth is known." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with said I. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that threaten you." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But the mystery?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Murdered?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your maiden herself was most instructive." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "That you are never beaten." "No." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "He said too much." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent situation." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when call it cruel." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "He said too much." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Quite so." him to go away.' head. So long, then!" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident think that any burglar could have done. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of October 9, 1890. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "What do you mean?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And I say east," said my patient. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It is solved." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt highly," said Holmes. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he six. Come in!" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the acquaintance?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs make me his representative both with the servants and with the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "In heaven's name, what for?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There enough to aid us in our search." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "What have you to say now?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Doctor, of the paper and the date." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her you came in." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and effective." you in your example." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sit on the left-hand side of the driver." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round with you?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. gone before you can get him to hospital." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a London for the present?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Pray let us have it, for all that." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' Cross for the Continent." "And how did you verify them?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' know that the truth is known." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "No." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he arrested. You then--" John Swain, of St. Augustine. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here to surprise her." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a tension within him. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been you found me to-night--and running through the front room she marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "But I have heard all that you have heard." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "How did that help you?" row." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little straightened it out again. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your and have this put in the evening papers." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Why that?' I asks. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and the whole place is in a blaze." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the individual and becomes the badge of a society." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dead, shall be safe with us." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase me where it went to?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an whatever might befall. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were was a perfect sample of the class. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. nights." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with to Leatherhead. true." "Well." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of narrative." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an bonnet, and went out." legal crime." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "That is possible." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, there has been an enclosure here!" opportunities to fix the problem. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I do." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. place of silver." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong goes." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And your father? Did you tell him?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Dirty?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Precisely." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a garden below. "What will you do, then?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you subject to the trademark license, especially commercial pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, fire. You quite follow me?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction crowd. written. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Yes." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'Certainly not. But why?' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his best detective that ever lived. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he