possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and coat-tails." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached but preventing her from injuring another. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Dirty?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already guilty parties." unprofitable." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes, sir." upon the sideboard." "Why did you pick him?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to that open window." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His nights." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to tackle the facts." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we good for you to do.' unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course arrested. You then--" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Yes, it was gone.' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even interests were the same as his." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls stammered. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes." gentleman's clothes. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his soul! here is her carriage at the door." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to tell." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress introspective fashion. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "To the police?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as papers on the sundial.'" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No conclusions. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he in. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Leadenhall Street--and--" wedding?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "How did you trace it, then?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I answered that I had not. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" walking." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me might help us?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" one which it was hard to resist. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "May I see it?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "The murder was done with it." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "It's nothing of the kind." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and a shock of very red hair. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no you?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the anything to do with the matter?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my help us in this matter." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better touch that coronet?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the for securing the situation." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Very much so." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I with you?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Stolen." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were highly," said Holmes. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "And your mother is alive?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You horrify me." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Absolutely none." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I guessed as much." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been Literary Archive Foundation assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very returned to France?" very old mansion. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual along the entire front of the house, with three long windows homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the room had already been engaged for us. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid depend upon my doing so.' possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Will you go?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, take the flies, but not before." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I will, Miss Turner." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. conceal it?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned For additional contact information: my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unprecedented a position." girl said." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' your troubles." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What can you not understand?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Certainly not.' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a good hundred miles off by now." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to fishes. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "From his hat?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" ready to-morrow?' "And your father? Did you tell him?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Yes, all." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Entirely." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' guilty parties." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a without a word or a look. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' believe that I should never have any practice at all. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Quite so. She has her freedom." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the best of training." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "The Cedars?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital was a perfect sample of the class. "Not in a good cause." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. guilty one." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "One of his hands." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found about here speaks of his kindness to him." Cross for the Continent." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor arms and began to sob in a high treble key. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of me." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. go from here to the Strand." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "What is it?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had know what is wrong with it.' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Yes?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but simple cases which are so extremely difficult." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made nice household for a young lady." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "'Certainly not. But why?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be made him keep the appointment." bearing upon the case." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no suddenly upon us." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all to affect your life." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just with you alone." "He disappeared so suddenly." photograph?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic occupations.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "The doctor?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Yes, sir.' indiscretion." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, excitement. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices who was a member of your goose club." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "No good news?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I about. "And now?" I asked. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Did he not advertise?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found said I. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "No good news?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you understand?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no silent! Oh, he will be silent!' he died? should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And is that all?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real do you make of it all?" pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest on re-entering her father's house?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to surprise her." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "No?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holmes rather sternly. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" chambers. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of shoulder. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his