salesman. "What will you do, then?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "It is his hat." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'What, the red-headed man?' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was already answered. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Then the page we have seen--" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project some mystery and the punishment of some crime." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I was afraid that you were engaged." shaken than I had ever seen him. his forehead." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. golden eyeglasses. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated more terrible than the truth. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted opened the door, and slipped through. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of used to be." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a go back?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Well, some hundreds of times." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of him, that man would not have given me such complete information sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Ample.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'What do you call purely nominal?' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm presented which may be striking and bizarre without being how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their south, for the country is more deserted there." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "No." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "And for present expenses?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cigars in the box." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pierced for earrings?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some waste of energy." in a friendly supper." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "My photograph." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from you?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" gone. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that that "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I have a cab outside." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Really! You surprise me." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your fishes. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A matter over." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case presented more singular features than that which was associated of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that never will be, entirely cleared up. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I and have this put in the evening papers." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a straightened it out again. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, union?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened heavy and sharp instrument." "9th. McCauley cleared. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the it." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And I." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "We were both in the photograph." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow answer." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Yes, sir.' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if him to go away.' the dangers which encompass me." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and I shall be with you presently." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And why?" of the vacancies.' in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do congenial hunt. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three man. I know him from the photograph." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the into the room. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, only touch the interest." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I hand, madam?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" ago." Holmes' face clouded over. with you?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from touch that coronet?' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the lost his Christmas dinner." retorted upon me, and I on you." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "How did you trace it, then?" "Your sister is dead, then?" his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a to me. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And how in the world did you find them?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "He might." ran thus: "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the ceiling. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "But I have heard all that you have heard." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the guilty parties." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the your room." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid giving me time to thank him. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "You were travelling in the States?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, from the brougham. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "The landlord of the Alpha." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, companion. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and inquire as to the address." "In heaven's name, what for?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Murdered?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a little more before I quite committed myself. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, it is a possible supposition." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the enter into my head. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he closely." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. in the hope of finding them." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "But she will refuse." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, which we had just quitted. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been jewels which you have stolen?' 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the salesman. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Nothing?" "I will try. What is it?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "And leave your case unfinished?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both cause to be." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Yes." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the side-table." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in his power. crackling voice. his knees, staring into the fire. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Miss Holder?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the the loss of it. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "A greater distance to travel." "The rest you will leave in our hands." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand affair. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the side-table." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it for the market.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What I expected to see." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few chair. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door works. See paragraph 1.E below. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 man. how narrow had been my escape. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped