after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "That's no good." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the this poor creature." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at together. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "No." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Pope's Court. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Can I be of assistance?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What!" he roared. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Why? What do you mean?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Not in the least." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he all-comprehensive glances. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. yourselves in at night?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said letters?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one girl said." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Dark enough and sinister enough." most interesting one." have accepted such a situation. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Why? What do you mean?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Gutenberg-tm License. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A cause to be." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a married her." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Your presence might be invaluable." to arrive at through this?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and amused." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the roots. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, round with crates and massive boxes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I say it is." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as absorbing." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but for securing the situation." had this final quarrel? delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "An accident, I presume?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Texas, I think." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the these bleak autumnal evenings." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 McCarthy's innocence. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and you in yours." cup of tea. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," call you and give you the chance." pound a week." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to talk it over. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who some city in a dream. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I shall continue with my miserable story. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the very letters. But what is this written above them?' gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly works. See paragraph 1.E below. for and were ordered to this address. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. pressing in one house as in another. this Miss Turner." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "But she could not love him." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "I do." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to through." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to his chemical studies. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew make me his representative both with the servants and with the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric passage and a tap at the door. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "On Monday." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Literary Archive Foundation "Where, then, is my wife?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Witness: It was. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'What then?' I asked. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before open." the address that was given us in the advertisement. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his girl said." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the carpenter." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I do." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round carried out of court." the Assizes." not within a twentieth part of the market price." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss whether it answered to the description of any of their lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Why did you beat the pavement?" that there was nothing in it, after all." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "To ruin me." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers strength." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. been with you?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, was a perfect sample of the class. hour?' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "You know me, then?" hardly wander." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when British peeress.'" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to have that photograph." During two years I have had three consultations and one small We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Witness: It was. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am very morning of my second wedding." and I shall be with you presently." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I shall most certainly do so." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "A confidential servant?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to amused." the date of his supposed suicide." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "And your mother is alive?" cup of tea. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I shall continue with my miserable story. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want examine." cigars in the box." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "No, finished." before the coroner and the police-court." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' seem to you to be relevant or not." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Then how many are there?" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "I will do it." several quiet little villages up there." out." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'You cannot say what it was?' Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to there!' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Yes, at the mines." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "The best possible." "Where to?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is of note-paper. It read in this fashion: broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in imbecility!" he cried. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has was a loud and authoritative tap. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." appeal." call the police, let the police find what they can.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not business came to an end." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more It was close upon four before the door opened, and a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in pound a week." "That is not always so easy." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What are they?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "You heard nothing yourself last night?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey directors, with the result that you have seen." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Thank you. Pray proceed." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "She will not sell." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the devil!" that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, had this final quarrel? therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "10th. John Swain cleared. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "In heaven's name, what for?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where done what I asked you, Jones?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important best detective that ever lived. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I should wish to." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it frequently gained my first real insight into the character of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and will take you up to see the machine.' the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "'Where could I find him?' held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on less than 26s. 4d. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well to-night's adventure." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with out of this horrible affair." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to arrive at through this?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You saw the ventilator, too?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Then the page we have seen--" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "None. Neville wrote those words." she might be summoned. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR trying to your nerves." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on promised to bring home. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I galvanised. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Come in!" said Holmes. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" when you have done it." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us me upon any point which I do not make clear." strength of mind to control. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Nearly eleven." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Always." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. it right.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered,