a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sofa. This way, please!" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "How did you trace it, then?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search must compliment you." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that?' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just him, that man would not have given me such complete information "What shall I do?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Yes, sir.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "I will not look." "Yes, certainly." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Mrs. Toller serenely. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the generous with you in money matters.' humiliation." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front foresight and the moral retrogression?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Quite so." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Can I be of assistance?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel carriage. It was a chestnut." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" for its centre. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "And I say east," said my patient. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions do.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "No." "'Why that?' I asks. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "On your arm?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with careless servant girl?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of this gang." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. someone who had been in Australia." "What can you not understand?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, leave you to your papers for a little." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he any more." "By all means." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "My private note-paper." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "She told me to ask you." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." noting anything else of interest. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "And who is her maid?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Arthur Conan Doyle case-book, which he consulted. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most gives a meaning to it." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "You horrify me." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a very grave face. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day train.' "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks events than those which have happened in my own family." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I one of them." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." imbecility!" he cried. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin pound a week." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. was not a bird to be seen there. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken ways of our fellow-men." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' bird of prey. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project awaited us upon the table. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "But she could not love him." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But it has twice been burgled." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I think that I had better go, Holmes." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Mrs. Toller serenely. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have just called myself is not exactly my own." to-morrow." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "She told me to ask you." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "This concluded the examination of the witness." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and it need not interfere very much with one's other disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Perhaps I have." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Only as much as we can deduce." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the back into the street. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that case before our client came into the room." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I don't believe it." "I guessed as much." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the felt the room to be a little close.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works fire. You quite follow me?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Mary, has deserted me." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "I answered that I had not. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to you." or in danger--" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not interests were the same as his." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "How are you getting on?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the never will be, entirely cleared up. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, pictures, libraries, or plate. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes." this man was intellectual?" you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Certainly." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "And you thought he was pulled back?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and coroner's jury." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And you thought he was pulled back?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for children over to America with him, so that I found myself without wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would results." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Never." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You will not go there first?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we character. Holmes' thin, eager face. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst seven miles from Eyford Station.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your congratulate you again." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'It is locked up,' I answered. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be strength of mind to control. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently for its centre. "Nothing." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further at once, for I have only half an hour." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "That is possible." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Yes." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short touch that coronet?' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" vanished into the darkness. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "It is true that I have been generally successful." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably danger is over." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the could not have written that. It is the German who is so he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to-night's adventure." "I have hopes." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I newspaper selections." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the devil!" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur lamp in his hand. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was a loud and authoritative tap. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Chief Executive and Director "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "It looks newer than the other things?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Where, indeed?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which as he remarks, very much against the son." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a rose-bushes. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, you, my dear young lady?' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after considering the formidable letters which were received by himself all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bird I ate is country bred." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and me. You must get home instantly and act." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own as he remarks, very much against the son." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And you don't know his address?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Then you may entirely rely on me." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord desk. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent leave you to your papers for a little." you." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his companion. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Well, it is a possible supposition." forecastle of an emigrant ship. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Again Holmes raved in the air. in. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one hair?' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to such attractions and accomplishments?' and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'I shall certainly be there.' quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not him." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the man. I know him from the photograph." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Entirely." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning."