often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I cannot as yet see any connection." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "And I say east," said my patient. tightly behind him. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Then I do not see the point." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always six. Come in!" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are there!' London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an chance at all." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress coat-tails." "But what will you do?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not completely overtopped every other consideration that we both gone before you can get him to hospital." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp entirely lost his self-respect." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I don't believe it." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "What steps will you take?" I asked. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The best possible." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the results." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue off." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Her father is very rich?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are death." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We confronted him. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in be there in time for your coming." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most happened." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet my little problems." "Dr. Becher's." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You later, upon the night of May 2nd." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very she slowly sank and died without having recovered her this remarkable episode. you understand?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Certainly,' I answered. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "By train from Waterloo." annoyance, but no jest. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "How can you tell that?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the dates and names. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" hand, madam?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "That is not always so easy." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not careless servant girl?" certainly do as you advise." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dramatic, in fact." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Not particularly." "And for present expenses?" "Precisely." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. cheerful." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Has he come with you to-night?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation question," said Holmes, smiling. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us tear off another piece?' "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little writers could invent nothing more crude." "Of what day?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm nonsense.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of have I gained?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, never to learn it at all." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having footfalls from the street. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De The telegram which we eventually received came late one night pictures, libraries, or plate. "But what harm can there be in that?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fuss that is made over them." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Yes." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the go from here to the Strand." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the see me here to avoid scandal." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right already referred to. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." upon the sideboard." a very grave face. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my like gravel from a pit.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "What, then, did Peterson do?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and house for five minutes.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it could gather together that I was able to avert another public "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door have established a very serious case against the son of the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life guilty one." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. forehead. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "'In my own bureau.' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, maid will bring up your coffee." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our nothing of it?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Doctor, of the paper and the date." with you alone." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Have you her photograph?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not were new raised from a basin. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are towards the blaze. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. door?" the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And how in the world did you find them?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "What will you do, then?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at you?' face and glided from the room. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying is four-and-twenty." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Married! When?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot respectable self." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her nothing with him." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and had picked up in the wood. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Sutherland?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "My dear Holmes!" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic forbidden door. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down strength of mind to control. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have seen the police." "Then I do not see the point." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my when your master had gone out." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather present strange and interesting features that it is no easy you want, then?' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the true." which was all perfectly true. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have indeed happy." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That searched, without anything being found which could incriminate breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with father's young wife. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip fasten all the windows?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the meanly of me." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project some city in a dream. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "It is half-past ten now." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Bought." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And you thought he was pulled back?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if little adventures." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I cannot say that I have." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "'Never,' said I. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his grey eyes. here and I will read it to you: if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I shall most certainly do so." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for breakfast?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "No." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the date of his supposed suicide." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to murdered man." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to arrive at through this?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "We have tried and failed." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs which we had just quitted. have I gained?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Perfectly so." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis wedding?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "In answer to an advertisement." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was crime." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton unkempt, staring out at me. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, know that the truth is known." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window observed. open." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation me. You must get home instantly and act." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 11:15.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide little trying to do so much typewriting?" companion. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I