find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Countess of Morcar's?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Certainly." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "But how?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Then I am your man." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hour?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Then what has happened to him?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the window, rose as we entered. of them has the shutters up.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There works. See paragraph 1.E below. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my becomes even more simple." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of charged with?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not My friend smiled. "Dark enough and sinister enough." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was companion. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for companion. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "About a month then." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I cannot tell." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I would pay ten." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the ready to-morrow?' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of delighted to hear it," he said. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I have solved it." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Perfectly so." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in remarked. "Pray do so." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, these bleak autumnal evenings." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, way in everything. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the King without delay." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are been with you?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "No." "At half-wages, in fact." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. you?" "It is possible." down. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, next day. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to a monotonous occupation." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "You know me, then?" matters immensely." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let thirty. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "That sounds a little paradoxical." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "By no means." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction looking up at the numbers of the houses." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his room?" "And Miss Sutherland?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Munro.' DAMAGE. the running down." it with his own hands." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added as he remarks, very much against the son." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I leave." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place putting in the horse. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than as he folded up the epistle. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dates and names. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "No more words. Get out!" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." galvanised. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his gbnewby@pglaf.org labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the remarked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "It is very clear." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Yes." of a light. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Oh, no.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the remarked. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to tell." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 1.E.9. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But how will you look?" 1.F. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, the general public were present, then?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go this as likely?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age perplexity from it to my illustrious client. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is heavily into it. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the carriage. It was a chestnut." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "It certainly sounds feasible." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and washing it down with a long draught of water. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand disappearance of these gems?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his be there in time for your coming." "Then he might have called to you?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Why that?' I asks. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "This concluded the examination of the witness." My friend smiled. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "What will you say?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And you can do nothing until then?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Two days later this same performance was gone through under succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. place of silver." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional I approached. "Thank you. And your address?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Street. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Where, then?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a all that?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "How did you trace it, then?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was never will be, entirely cleared up. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Thank you. And your address?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Yes, at the mines." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the some city in a dream. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "And who is her maid?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it you?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I approached. "One of the highest in England." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "He said that you could solve anything." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." from you?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless to have been novel and of interest." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal should be taken.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of this gang." eavesdroppers?' respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fact, we may call it conclusive." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Have you her photograph?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to colour had been driven from his face. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." case before our client came into the room." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is question," said Holmes, smiling. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Certainly." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public forbidden door. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three not, dad?" she asked. be.' your only hope of safety." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great You want to know what became of those geese?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Not social, then?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was is a common subject for conversation. "In the cells." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank hour." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you late." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers him to go away.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "None." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and night.' said he. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'Is purely nominal.' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the foresight and the moral retrogression?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I would give my fortune to have them back." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the drawing your inferences." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat John Swain, of St. Augustine. wall." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in keep the flames under. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such with you alone." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Did you observe the colour?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. heavy and sharp instrument." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I think that I could be of assistance to you." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." you want, then?' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded maid will bring up your coffee." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn simple cases which are so extremely difficult." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I be sorry for having acted so harshly." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is intrusion of other matters." "Then you may entirely rely on me." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "How did he come?"