uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stalked out of the room. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "But she will refuse." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Why did you beat the pavement?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, were unconscious?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Frequently." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted obstinate." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled yourselves in at night?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and meant it for the best. Clair, of Lee." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the narrative." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Very murderous indeed." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Then I do not see the point." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "Not in a good cause." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and glanced through. "How did you trace it, then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made had died away into the silence from which it rose. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she your billet.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Mrs. Toller serenely. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in furiously. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "To an English lawyer named Norton." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a very grave face. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining was a loud and authoritative tap. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "In San Francisco, a year ago." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary works. See paragraph 1.E below. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Very. But will he see it?" tail." "But your client--" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Holmes." III. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an rooms." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at maiden herself was most instructive." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "And now?" He raised his hand. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." politicians who had been sent down from the North. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 not fit the lock." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." companion. did not hear it also.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of I shall continue with my miserable story. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his then?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose four million human beings all jostling each other within the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Then how many are there?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have one." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Holmes' face clouded over. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." indeed which he could not unravel. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself nothing with him." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. fear." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There there has been an enclosure here!" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She see a sister of mine apply for." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" to-night?" I asked. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Surrey." "When did she vanish, then?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. which was all perfectly true. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can His name is Francis Prosper." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not records." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry and all of them with the keenest interest. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm You want to know what became of those geese?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I see many objections to any such theory." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, trifles." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the coronet in his hand?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Can I be of assistance?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "And you can do nothing until then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And for present expenses?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me all?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and tell him that I know him to be innocent." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bird of prey. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and put his glass in his pocket. deduce something from that?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is room. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. his wife has ceased to love him." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella delighted to hear it," he said. Lee, in the county of Kent." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I shall most certainly do so." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a locked. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events your only hope of safety." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'Why that?' I asks. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the had picked up in the wood. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary a suggestive one." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" everything which you would wish to know." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "That is it on the dressing-table." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every less than 26s. 4d. has little to do with my story." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "I was sure that I might rely on you." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it him. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged place no limit on the sum I may draw." this remarkable episode. papers on the sundial.'" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Here?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a without success. At last the little money which I had saved began from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "No." garden below. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the very morning of the wedding." long narrative. "I should like to see him very much." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the you, my dear young lady?' have one." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with feature." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have got?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "The vanishing of the lady." your co-operation." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you that he has suffered." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon round and wave him away like that.' "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "In heaven's name, what for?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both minor matters until to-morrow." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "From his hat?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to never will be, entirely cleared up. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself purpose of examination. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that as noiselessly as she had come. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "I assure you that I am in your hands." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "And how did you verify them?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband have an American origin." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "You are hungry," I remarked. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his photograph?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "My photograph." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of your bag." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in child?' address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass use an arc-and-compass breastpin." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Cross for the Continent." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, like that before?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the it." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Frequently." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when shoulder; "he's all right." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money are, I think, all that we need." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. together. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it entirely devoid of interest." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Farm upon the left." "I have solved it." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Imitated." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Your French gold?" "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "You have but to name it." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'About the same.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Ample.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a leave you to your papers for a little." most interesting one." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the coronet in his hand?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be results." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Project Gutenberg-tm works. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly through." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock I leave." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "But his lameness?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." photograph?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "How can you tell that?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit I have it here in my museum." did not hear it also.' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its