floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Very much so." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean or other trace. But how on earth--" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "How do you know, then?" your own bird, so if you wish--" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fattened it expressly for you.' observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. chamber." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done your bag." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Witness: It was. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but but preventing her from injuring another. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or throat." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." charged with?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and glanced through. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that correct than the official force." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Will you go?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Surrey." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "And now?" He raised his hand. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stalked out of the room. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Street. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Breckinridge is his name." before, for it was considerably after midnight. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "If I can be of use." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to nothing of it?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Well?" "In which, sir?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "I see many objections to any such theory." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited stepfather?" statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that I may have something better before very many minutes are than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and have this put in the evening papers." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to roused himself from his reverie. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case depend upon your compliance." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it investigation." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no pressing in one house as in another. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my own family. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the coronet in his hand?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I cannot imagine." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the been shamefully used." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at have been better. It is all right." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat round and wave him away like that.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "He disappeared so suddenly." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. happened." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Only as much as we can deduce." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. formed some opinion?" that attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "I do." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an could go. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk your troubles." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Holmes rather sternly. "You saw the ventilator, too?" sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even like gravel from a pit.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Yes." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should than was visible to me." "But she could not love him." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But you have hopes?" present." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his crime." "What! a murderous attack?" "Who was the criminal, then?" both be extremely obliged.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. passage and a tap at the door. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and tightly behind him. "It was." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at father's young wife. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "We were both in the photograph." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not is," said he presently: former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Absolutely?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "And leave your case unfinished?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "And you thought he was pulled back?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the from you?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the station." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some heavy and sharp instrument." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, what I may call a really hard day's work." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "To the police?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to had picked up in the wood. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, sir." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, or other trace. But how on earth--" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "And when will you call?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "But how did you gain them?" open." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Witness: It was. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even or in danger--" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wall." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "From his hat?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Yes, all." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client persecution?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the confronted him. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "None." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the over with notes and figures. you in yours." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; You can understand that this register and diary may implicate presume?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the room while you explain this matter?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were of this gang." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was that weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled make me his representative both with the servants and with the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. acquaintance?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Come in!" said Holmes. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The Coroner: What do you mean? sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help flock.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two when you have done it." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to nice household for a young lady." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we key of the affair now." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the iron safe, which he closed upon it. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said he. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could was the fact that his father should, according to his account, behind me. habit of advancing money.' these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something she to prove their authenticity?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Yes, sir.' us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Arthur Conan Doyle most interesting one." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Eyford at 11:15.' "Perfectly so." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a coat-tails." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your said he. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I cannot as yet see any connection." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I be. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "What then?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive cost them two and thirty pounds." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," stammered. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in nonsense.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "'Yes, sir.' and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." system of imprisonment?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "'Very good.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," tear off another piece?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Imitated." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads it right.' "Perfectly so." "Then what has happened to him?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked bonnet, and went out." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Ten will be early enough." it."