Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, he. "Always." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But his left-handedness." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the question. mystery!" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I approached. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands have not had my rubber." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." before the coroner and the police-court." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with astonishment. my little problems." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their careless servant girl?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do his knees, staring into the fire. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it investigation." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Holmes' thin, eager face. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and laid it on the table. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bonnet, and went out." the warnings." "Pray let us have it, for all that." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand carried out of court." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have an American origin." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "He might." beyond words. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And gives a meaning to it." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Then you may be so with me." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The in darkness. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Then I do not see the point." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Entirely.' "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and forehead. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that threaten you." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it look upon these things in a different way." "What office?" "No good news?" said he. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew miles off. his grey eyes. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you crowd. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Yes, but only for you and me." "But what is it you wish?" "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come know what is wrong with it.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I have come for advice." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Why serious?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "What shall I do?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" shoulder; "he's all right." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. name is different." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "To an English lawyer named Norton." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here upon the sideboard." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the advice." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Texas, I think." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing This is what he says: across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "But she will refuse." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' father's place of business?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem stood on the top of it. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. client, rising. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a such person." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This ready to-morrow?' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have business came to an end." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he future lives." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most little adventures." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the inquest, and which are worth considering." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his You want to know what became of those geese?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter What do you deduce from it?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the stable lane now." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And how have you succeeded?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I nodded again. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Literary Archive Foundation and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a appeared upon the scene." of campaign. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham some water from a caraffe. the devil!" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! recover the gem." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that you wished to speak to me?' handed it to him. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest distinguish the words: a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which fat-encircled eyes. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of receipt of the work. "'I have already given you my word.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Then I do not see the point." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His any more." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you visitors." "Very truly yours, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk there when the Rucastles went away." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "None." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am child?' these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client in him." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What do you mean?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, acted in my house last night?" peculiar to him. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking detained." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "But she will refuse." McCarthy." round and wave him away like that.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You present strange and interesting features that it is no easy hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A could gather together that I was able to avert another public the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked before, for it was considerably after midnight. "So it appears." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the roots. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It is no ordinary one." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Project Gutenberg-tm works. mystery may be cleared along those lines." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." undoubtedly my uncle's." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I cannot say that I have." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Ten will be early enough." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "That is not always so easy." shaken than I had ever seen him. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the felt the room to be a little close.' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "And for present expenses?" intrusion of other matters." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "That you are never beaten." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always present." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which should have the effect of calling the attention of the made his money." "And I say east," said my patient. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary vault. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. fait accompli?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite neither fascinating nor artistic." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." think that he is innocent?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or business?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Texas, I think." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though one else, I think." throat." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Dr. Gregory B. Newby pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident I think that I could be of assistance to you." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to have that photograph." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my villagers almost as much as their master. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be she might be summoned. advice." "Well, but China?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "I have hopes." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'It is locked up,' I answered. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reach." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Where is it, then?" you want, then?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well populous neighbourhood." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your notes," he said. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "I have seen the police." shoulder; "he's all right." "Certainly." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the late!' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." possible that we could bring him back to her? hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' that I am arrested." "My last client of the sort was a king." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "It's nothing of the kind." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, instincts rose up against that laugh. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of as this. Pray let me have the details." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside is worth.' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Quite so." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes, sir." the morning and make my own way in the world.' empty. do.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me vault. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America this man was intellectual?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "What are they?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. to-night?" I asked. returned to France?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It within hail.' lost nothing by them." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear must compliment you." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't