"This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to foresight and the moral retrogression?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Why serious?" call it cruel." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what had picked up in the wood. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "What can it mean?" I gasped. "What, then?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of row." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and you, my dear young lady?' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, but the enclosure is." questionable one." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" said I. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." opportunities to fix the problem. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the morning and make my own way in the world.' behind me. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "The best possible." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley most interesting one." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'I have heard so.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you." "I think it very unlikely." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil bled considerably." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a be.' such attractions and accomplishments?' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a come either from the window or the door. My attention was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far where Mr. Fordham shows you.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take details should find their way into the papers. Inspector active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project come either from the window or the door. My attention was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in of Mr. Rucastle's." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left to tell." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this be sorry for having acted so harshly." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My opened the door, and slipped through. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What into her hand at the door and which lured her within their words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent plantation.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "It must be recovered." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in forecastle of an emigrant ship. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The shoulder; "he's all right." behind me. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a events than those which have happened in my own family." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Ah!" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." despaired of." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting dead, shall be safe with us." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, so far?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Certainly." the Assizes." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "The King of Scandinavia." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent whatever might befall. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Absolutely none." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a stammered. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his forecastle of an emigrant ship. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Of what?" This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest get the tickets." "Well?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in quick march!" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Well, but China?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "In which, sir?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he extraordinary contortions. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But what is it you wish?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And why?" me." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of maid will bring up your coffee." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the any." "You are hungry," I remarked. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Then what has happened to him?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life had a long day." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his thirty. then?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in and a shock of very red hair. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of never came back." was used.' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever sneer upon his pale face. client, rising. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between go--none." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your village inn over there?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside father's young wife. "What can it mean?" I gasped. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, assist you in forming an opinion." ourselves in the office." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I leave." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out quick march!" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your bare slabs of marble. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it right.' "It is no ordinary one." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. again on its way. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you are windows in it, of course?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The been lifted and conveyed somewhere." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. invisible to me," I remarked. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute not use it unless it is absolutely needed." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at said he. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I particular state visit http://pglaf.org "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that question you as to those details which seem to me to be most our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now 1.F. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was events than those which have happened in my own family." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Texas, I think." go from here to the Strand." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of quick march!" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found dead, shall be safe with us." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to experiences." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "On your arm?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a towards the blaze. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and experiences." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." retorted upon me, and I on you." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "No." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and will not take me long to tell. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "How did he come?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and to arrive at through this?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, weary and pale-looking. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever key of the affair now." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Watson," he said cordially. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'And the work?' have one." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No, distinctly professional." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to closely." that he has suffered." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. instituted." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I am to be neutral?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and footfalls from the street. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, goes." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy as he remarks, very much against the son." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "What I expected to see." goes." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had pierced for earrings?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and all of them with the keenest interest. "But what harm can there be in that?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Nearly eleven." carried out of court." of the vacancies.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few lost his Christmas dinner." placed his cuttings. "What!" he roared. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "And why in hopes?" morning." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. golden eyeglasses. than to us. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided