"'Tell me all about it,' said I. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "What are they?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does was a lad." "I have seen the police." guilty parties." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Here?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as thin legs towards the fire. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with disturbance in my wife." next day. were unconscious?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to system of imprisonment?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I through." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'I am sure that I do not know.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was a loud and authoritative tap. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been with you?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "You horrify me!" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and wait." enter Dr. Roylott's room." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you in yours." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "But how?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Sutherland. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Again Holmes raved in the air. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise him, that man would not have given me such complete information where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Very much so." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Thank you. Pray proceed." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." mysterious end." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Won't it ring?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped as this. Pray let me have the details." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I never have." lamp in his hand. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not neither fascinating nor artistic." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Eh? What was that?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "It is solved." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "That is it on the dressing-table." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any It was close upon four before the door opened, and a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the just ask you whether you had heard it.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view silent! Oh, he will be silent!' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'And what salary do you ask?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she cause to be." cigars in the box." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sneer upon his pale face. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. or other trace. But how on earth--" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was dead, shall be safe with us." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Yes, that is the Crown." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have careless servant girl?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the I nodded again. strength." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a obstinate." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about which are rolled in Rotterdam." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some people don't know." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I would pay ten." "She will not sell." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken fire. You quite follow me?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate handed it to him. "But you have hopes?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the said he at last. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. meant it for the best. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found The King stared at him in amazement. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "But I have heard all that you have heard." Doctor, of the paper and the date." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It is solved." "'About the same.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, matters immensely." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Was your sister dressed?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had you in yours." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the coronet in his hands?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were in this note: had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great this Miss Turner." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "And on what day did he meet his death?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this of a light. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise me upon any point which I do not make clear." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "She walked into the breakfast-room." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Now, then, what's the last entry?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I shall most certainly do so." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Certainly." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the open." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his call for it in person on Monday morning.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, his wife has ceased to love him." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the room while you explain this matter?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "She walked into the breakfast-room." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "That's no good." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at photograph?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I leave." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'You cannot say what it was?' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Imitated." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover clang of the bell. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Seven!" I answered. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "We were both in the photograph." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we new acquaintance to Baker Street. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable served to weaken the effect. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "But how will you look?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And I." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They are typewritten," I remarked. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was lame." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian astonishment. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in back into the street. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes, it was twisted." appointment with me for six o'clock?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you showing my impatience. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. chill to my heart. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, will he say when he returns?" constraint." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Does that suggest anything?" my former friend and companion. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I have my revolver," said I. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I came to find a friend." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had very morning of my second wedding." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and should be taken.' "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking call for it in person on Monday morning.' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should furiously. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And the murderer?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the driver. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his colour had been driven from his face. absorbing." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "We were both in the photograph." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "And your mother is alive?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of believe that I should never have any practice at all. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "He said that you could solve anything." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "That is possible." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I was afraid that you were engaged." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how be.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "In San Francisco, a year ago." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the make me his representative both with the servants and with the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She back alive. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the so-precious time, but come!' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of note?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Only as much as we can deduce." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Indeed! Whose, then?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and no precautions can guard against." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more interests were the same as his." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I will, Miss Turner." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope,