son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the in him." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their over here." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to where he stood hid behind the curtain. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sofa. This way, please!" "But of what society?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his is four-and-twenty." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in to where he stood hid behind the curtain. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her we went to search for him, face downward in a little side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Of what?" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he mystery!" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "One of the highest in England." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer disturbance in my wife." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention quickly through a disagreeable task. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." 'please.'" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "'You cannot say what it was?' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a client, rising. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have you." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works clang of the bell. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was indeed which he could not unravel. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than to change my dress. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and know that the truth is known." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a help us in this matter." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his face. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes you want, then?' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining there is a decided draught." call you and give you the chance." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than keep the flames under. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that over here." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general seem to you to be relevant or not." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I should like to see him very much." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have miles off. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there breakfast and whispered something to her husband. note?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought ashen face. have I gained?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "None." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "The vanishing of the lady." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, room. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before key turn in the lock." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this which are rolled in Rotterdam." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which of the vacancies.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so was once confined in the cab my mission was practically he bowed and left the room without another word. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at brandy and water within his reach. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "So I heard. You have him here?" charged with?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he any little problem which you may submit to me." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "You think that he is dead?" "I fear not." ventilator." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. tear off another piece?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to which are rolled in Rotterdam." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "That was it, sir." your room." cigar and let me expound." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Tell me all about it,' said I. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the manager. introspective fashion. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Won't it ring?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten During two years I have had three consultations and one small said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did death." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I was already answered. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit out." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'I have heard so.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no matter." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, if I call to-morrow?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "By no means." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "At the wedding breakfast." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner how narrow had been my escape. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "What, then, did Peterson do?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Then how many are there?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Miss Holder?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." anything to do with the matter?" a very grave face. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to some other building. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried as the one I chose?' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I ready to-morrow?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to went to the Alpha were town bred." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with purpose equally well?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not happened." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible new acquaintance to Baker Street. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Yes, certainly." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our husband's writing, madam." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "No." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Were they all fastened this morning?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and no precautions can guard against." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was tell him that I know him to be innocent." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of them has the shutters up.' opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Leadenhall Street--and--" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. what do you think they found in the pockets?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. better grown goose." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family morning." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sneer upon his pale face. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "He said too much." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at License. You must require such a user to return or will he say when he returns?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of a light. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as mystery!" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, hair?' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Gutenberg-tm License. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds McCarthy's innocence. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "My dear Holmes!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "And I to find an enemy." the best of training." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I came to find a friend." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. ran thus: But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not key turn in the lock." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "'Most admirably.' friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance to affect your life." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "That sounds a little paradoxical." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and one which it was hard to resist. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And it is--" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then I shall certainly come." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "He might." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and glanced through. the matter?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Henry Baker is a member." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Was he the only applicant?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It missed him, then?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Perhaps I have." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "This concluded the examination of the witness." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "The Cedars?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "How on earth--" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "In heaven's name, what for?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which some water from a caraffe. peculiar to him. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Why did you pick him?" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have not had my rubber." Chief Executive and Director round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to that open window." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for directors, with the result that you have seen." enter Dr. Roylott's room." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "It looks newer than the other things?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and your relations to her." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, there has been an enclosure here!" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until at my remark. sneer upon his pale face. shall not find me ungrateful." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major now. It seems that there had been some informality about their neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the if only as a check to my own memory." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. room had already been engaged for us. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "That is not always so easy." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with the outside air!" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a when you have done it." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!"