humiliation." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hurried away. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "'Yes, it was gone.' more solid." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the whole place is in a blaze." "None. Neville wrote those words." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which which our visitor detailed to us. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at goes." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. guilty one." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, conduct the inquiry." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but get her out of the way." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since that he will be back before evening." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "In heaven's name, what for?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never constraint." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must way in everything. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Well." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was once confined in the cab my mission was practically 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to mysterious end." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. upon the sideboard." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, in darkness. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who bachelor.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Not in the least." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the stable lane now." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any yards of it?' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Then, how do you know?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I shall continue with my miserable story. "Yes. He waved his hands." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked but preventing her from injuring another. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in the hope of finding them." had a long day." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Pray do so." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, stood on the top of it. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "In answer to an advertisement." "My last client of the sort was a king." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." do." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a some terrible trap for her." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must tail." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had characteristics, but those are the more obvious." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was companion. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my and effective." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and not personally threatened." "How on earth--" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It garden below. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the you do it in twenty minutes!' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I this man was intellectual?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms interests were the same as his." Stoke Moran." the date of his supposed suicide." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Never." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the results." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "To an end?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Yes, sir." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." several quiet little villages up there." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "But how?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "We were both in the photograph." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And Irene Adler?" self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" chair. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the tragedy. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "How on earth--" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. showing my impatience. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What shall I do?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging strength." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "VIOLET HUNTER." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in simple cases which are so extremely difficult." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. them, and came down just as you departed. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less interest. They are important, you understand, without being here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Your sister is dead, then?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up train.' "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "That's no good." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Why did you beat the pavement?" body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich conversation I have gathered that they have been married about passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Who was the criminal, then?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Ample.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Is purely nominal.' scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "It surprised me." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, she might be summoned. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very hand, madam?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Edgeware Road. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no feature." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a papers." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And how did he make his money?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' be. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'Yes, I promise.' him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and the church but not where the lady lived." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a you." ventilator." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being I took the paper from him and read as follows: sound at heart." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the coronet in his hand?" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but official police." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical foot. true." call for it in person on Monday morning.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Thank you. Pray proceed." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he envelope. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "That also I could fathom." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew works. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "No bad?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Ha! you find it so?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Upon what point?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" I nodded to show that I had heard. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as yours." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy perplexity from it to my illustrious client. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would society." status with the IRS. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I like that before?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Not yet." stammered. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to that open window." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" rat could hardly pass through." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Dr. Gregory B. Newby you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Nothing?" morning." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "My dear Holmes!" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Witness: It was. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "The King of Scandinavia." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Have you good authority for what you say?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She stood on the top of it. shaken than I had ever seen him. the Assizes." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "So it appears." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue one's self under obligations.'