"God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate enter into my head. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That address. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Your sister is dead, then?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." name is different." disappearance of these gems?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened outside. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "You horrify me." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But his lameness?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they woman." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I was sure that I might rely on you." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to is worth.' "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to he died? reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "How many? I don't know." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'No, I know no one in these parts.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur know that the truth is known." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Why serious?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." My friend smiled. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. infinite languor in his face. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" her also." "Is he quiet?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, had a long day." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Dr. Gregory B. Newby opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "That is unusual in a young girl." I was concerned in it." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I was certainly surprised to find you there." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Yes, sir." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had London for the present?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the new acquaintance to Baker Street. "It is very kind of you." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and the church but not where the lady lived." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Then, as to money?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began head. So long, then!" is now desirous of getting those letters back." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Where does the thing come from?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a one of the states of the Union." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' was keenly on my guard against him. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "And you don't know his address?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in a friendly supper." "There is the writing." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for spark where all is dark to me." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "My own seal." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Certainly,' I answered. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Well?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very matters immensely." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. is a common subject for conversation. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Where did he live, then?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the window, rose as we entered. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of evidence," I remarked. have been better. It is all right." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands bird of prey. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "It is very clear." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." his knees, staring into the fire. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Where, then?" door?" "That is possible." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If during which he might have communicated with his friend the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a way in everything. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I see many objections to any such theory." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out fattened it expressly for you.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east my little problems." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were house for five minutes.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" go--none." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. indiscretion." fishes. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of foresight and the moral retrogression?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it upon the shelf for the interim." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the kind enough to tell me what I should do." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fear." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'I have already given you my word.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really bird of prey. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. call it cruel." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had highroad, where all traces were lost. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with you?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are back into the street. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Quite so." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fact, we may call it conclusive." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. shall use the carriage to-night." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And you don't know his address?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because better grown goose." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "No." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My discontent upon his features. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yes." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother there has been an enclosure here!" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "But how did you gain them?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few points to suicide?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the bottom.' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my his huge brown hands. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "You know me, then?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would habit of advancing money.' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door beg that you will break it off." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a States. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would and effective." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's overpowering excitement and concern. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to-night?" I asked. said I. your co-operation." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." emerged. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'Stolen!' he cried. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to arrive at through this?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Street. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may noise which awoke you from your sleep?" fear." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice had this final quarrel? been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round families. Now for the facts. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Then the page we have seen--" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Surrey." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she our word." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You will not go there first?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since what I may call a really hard day's work." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Will you go?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent gone. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered cost them two and thirty pounds." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Pope's Court. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of receipt of the work. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." fishes. "'Yes, it was gone.' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the driver. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he himself to hunt down. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a is acting for the best. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Did he not advertise?" maid will bring up your coffee." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists upon the white wrist. young Openshaw's." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the notes," he said. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Witness: I must still refuse. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'And the work?' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pound a week." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and