a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to surprise her." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Really! You surprise me." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'And the work?' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "How about poison?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty until night should bring an explanation. neither fascinating nor artistic." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not very morning of my second wedding." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Ample.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "It is possible." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "But how could you guess what the motive was?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about him. "Can I be of assistance?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Yes." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." unprofitable." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which comes from the middle window." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Quite so." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet delighted to hear it," he said. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the call you and give you the chance." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his flock.' but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together emerged. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him you." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Yes.' "And your mother is alive?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, matter." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "You forget that I know nothing about it." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "At what time?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "That is unusual in a young girl." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me experiences." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "What shall I do?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael hurried by. papers." "10th. John Swain cleared. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from coroner's jury." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It papers must be those that are destroyed.' I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable there was no need for father to know." Pope's Court. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are voice, changing her seat as requested. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came as the one I chose?' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. this as likely?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual entirely devoid of interest." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. what these perils are?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" conclusions. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the or in danger--" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the morning and make my own way in the world.' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that paper in the air. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a delighted to hear it," he said. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "And is that all?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I am not easy in my mind about them." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had his knees, staring into the fire. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Just look it up, then." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police this truth that in these little records of our cases which you with her." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work in this note: aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, developed." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "My stepfather's business papers." own family. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "9th. McCauley cleared. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to surprise her." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Do you receive much company?" he asked. straightened it out again. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It is possible." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I was sure that I might rely on you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added is entirely a question of barometric pressure." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'And the work?' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "What I expected to see." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Will you bet, then?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in chance." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "It was an hour's good drive." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about upon a handsome competence. assist you in forming an opinion." your most interesting statement." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, o'clock is it?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." hour?' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I have solved it." fattened it expressly for you.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a friend's singular character. murdered man." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to security.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the even so self-evident a thing as that." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable floor. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which copied or distributed: "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "My photograph." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Pool. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which brain must have something in it." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Miss Holder?" "And what did you learn from him?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "The landlord of the Alpha." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Was there a secret marriage?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the upon an income of about 60 pounds." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Holmes. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I cannot say that I have." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." said I. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The events, Mr. Windibank!" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence your only hope of safety." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite crime. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I have hopes." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional do." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, floor. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Seven!" I answered. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Absolutely none." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours few hundred pounds.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "In heaven's name, what for?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to-night?" I asked. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added way in." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Pray let us have it, for all that." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the roots. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had formerly been in part my own. me upon any point which I do not make clear." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so into the room. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a one which it was hard to resist. upon the shelf for the interim." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my be there in time for your coming." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back bearing upon the case." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "And that is--" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for written. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he certainly not very gracious." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "The murder was done with it." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." case-book, which he consulted. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with directors, with the result that you have seen." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, followed. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is astonishment. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a you." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and matter."