"Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice with her." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a awaited us upon the table. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about hardly wander." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Where does the thing come from?' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is views." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. bell. Holmes whistled. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came front of me. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was case-book, which he consulted. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "And the murderer?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was yards of it?' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I be best to do. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Arthur Conan Doyle other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the have not had my rubber." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Come in!" said he. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my room." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "It was a confession," I ejaculated. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me out of this horrible affair." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the room while you explain this matter?" emerged. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "None." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a yards of it?' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Her father is very rich?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a closely." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I cost them two and thirty pounds." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Come in!" said he. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, of the vacancies.' "'And what are they worth?' I asked. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with in his power. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in your bag." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a companion. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and so.' and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "No." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Not him." eavesdroppers?' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor noting anything else of interest. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for exactly what you advise." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "No, my brougham is waiting." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from returned to France?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and it need not interfere very much with one's other already been minutely examined." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet envelope. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must sit on the left-hand side of the driver." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of of this gang." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent heavily into it. with frightened eyes at his accuser. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. meanly of me." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, fact, we may call it conclusive." see a sister of mine apply for." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence tightly behind him. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard plantation.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" His smile broadened. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in true." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I digesting their breakfasts at home." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly which we had just quitted. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the date of his supposed suicide." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the visitors." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Dirty?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Yes, at the mines." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the mystery!" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the him and tried to hold him back. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from License. You must require such a user to return or in one or two places in England?' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "A greater distance to travel." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough it right.' Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the night.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his again before evening." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "But not more so than I to find you." had died away into the silence from which it rose. for and were ordered to this address. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wedding?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Well." possible that we could bring him back to her? have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's village inn over there?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next you." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Precisely." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sit on the left-hand side of the driver." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down yards of it?' desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed at home. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "What steps will you take?" I asked. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into bell. Holmes whistled. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose ventilator." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: problems help me to do so." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he bird I ate is country bred." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Precisely." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You saw the ventilator, too?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "In answer to an advertisement." dead, shall be safe with us." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him some mystery and the punishment of some crime." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And nothing of it?" horse could go." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and your relations to her." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got as he folded up the epistle. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible chair. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of them has the shutters up.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. this remarkable episode. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "But who is he?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away do.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "10th. John Swain cleared. that I can to serve you." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and it need not interfere very much with one's other to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very entirely lost his self-respect." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm could not have written that. It is the German who is so often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he fishes. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his became a certainty. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was a perfect sample of the class. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "It surprised me." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian be.' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Of Friday, June 19th." I. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." open." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, or other trace. But how on earth--" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." it." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." depend upon your compliance." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "And now?" I asked. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I was sure that I might rely on you." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is business." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a for the market.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Precisely." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into not, dad?" she asked. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Have you it here?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "No, I am descending."